After world war ii, why did the soviet union take over a number of countries to its west? to create a buffer zone between itself and the western powers to build an empire to rival that of enemies such as the united states to punish germany for its aggression during the war to ensure compliance with the declaration on liberated europe

The Soviet Union took over countries to the west in order to create a buffer zone between itself and the Western powers.

They expanded their control into eastern Europe and took over the governments of Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, East Germany, Poland, Romania and Yugoslavia.

The Soviet Union engaged in that action in order to create a buffer zone between itself and the Western powers.

The German invasion of the Soviet Union in WWII led to plans being made to stop such an event occurring again. One such plan was to create a buffer zone and this is what was done with the countries to the west.

In conclusion, option A is correct.

Find out more on the buffer zone at link.