Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the role of former Soviet President Joseph Stalin in the victory in World War II "should not be forgotten". The Russian head said this at a meeting with the leaders of the parliamentary factions of the State Duma on Thursday, Gazeta. ru reports, quoted by FOCUS.
"In general, everything related to the Great Patriotic War and Stalin's role in the Victory should be taken into account and depoliticized. There were many problems related to repressions; all this is clear. This should not be belittled and the country should not forget it. But it is also unfair to forget the role that this particular person played in the victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War,“ the head of state emphasized.
In July, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin supported the decision to review the results of the 20th Congress of the CPSU, at which Nikita Khrushchev condemned Stalin's personality cult.
According to him, the decision has given rise to a negative attitude towards the Soviet leader, who “did everything to win the Great Patriotic War and create the state“. Volodin noted that after the collapse of the USSR, accusations began to spread that were reminiscent of the rhetoric of this congress.
The State Duma Speaker called for “defense of Russian history“ and perpetuating the names of the leaders and commanders who ensured the country's victory.
Earlier, Putin pointed out the lack of truth about the Great Patriotic War in old history textbooks.