The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was a peace agreement signed on March 3, 1918, between the Central Powers and Soviet Russia. It marked Russia's exit from World War I and was negotiated after the Bolshevik Revolution. The treaty resulted in significant territorial losses for Russia, ceding land to countries like Poland, Ukraine, and Finland. The treaty was controversial and faced opposition within Russia, as many viewed it as a betrayal of national interests. However, it allowed the Bolshevik government to focus on internal issues and consolidate power, ultimately shaping the future of the Soviet Union.