Why did Stalin want to control of eastern Europe after ww 2?

After World War II, Stalin aimed to control Eastern Europe to create a buffer zone against potential Western aggression and to expand Soviet influence. He sought to spread communism and establish pro-Soviet governments in the region, believing this would secure the USSR's borders and enhance its geopolitical power. Additionally, controlling Eastern Europe allowed Stalin to extract resources and strengthen the Soviet economy, consolidating his regime's stability and authority.