Vladimir Putin Criticizes Ignoring Soviet Union’s Role in Liberating Nazi Death Camps
MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin recently expressed his frustration and disappointment with the decision not to invite the Soviet Union, the successor to the Soviet Union, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp in Poland.
In an interview with Russian state television, Putin stated, "This is such a strange, shameful thing to do. You can treat the head of the Russian state, me, in any way you want – no one is asking for any invitation, but if you had thought about it, you could have been a lot more subtle."
Putin went on to criticize the decision to exclude the surviving family members of Soviet troops who took part in the liberation of the camps from the commemoration events. "If the Soviet soldiers who took part in the liberation of the camps could not be invited due to health or age, then at least their families could have been invited," he said.
The Soviet Union played a crucial role in liberating Nazi death camps during World War II, including Majdanek, Auschwitz, Stutthof, Sachsenhausen, and Ravensbrück. More than 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, perished at Auschwitz in gas chambers or from starvation, cold, and disease. Poles, Roma, and Sinti, and Soviet prisoners of war were also killed there.
In all, between 1941 and 1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically murdered six million Jews across German-occupied Europe. The second-largest group of victims of Nazi racial policy after the Jews were Soviet prisoners of war, according to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Other major groups killed included Soviet citizens, Poles, gypsies, sexual minorities, disabled people, and others who offended Nazi ideas of racial superiority.
Russia, the successor to the Soviet Union, was not invited to the commemoration event due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for Putin’s arrest for war crimes in Ukraine, which Russia denies, claiming that the accusations are made up to smear its image.
The Importance of Honoring the Role of the Soviet Union in World War II
The Soviet Union played a vital role in World War II, and its sacrifice and bravery cannot be forgotten. The country lost millions of people during the war, and its troops fought tirelessly to liberate Nazi-occupied territories.
Honor the fallen soldiers and survivors by acknowledging and commemorating the role of the Soviet Union in World War II. It is essential to learn from the past and remember the sacrifices made to ensure that we do not repeat the same mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why was Russia not invited to the commemoration event?
A: Russia was not invited due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Q: Who were the largest groups of victims of Nazi racial policy?
A: The largest groups of victims of Nazi racial policy were the Jews and Soviet prisoners of war.
Q: What was the significance of the Soviet Union in World War II?
A: The Soviet Union played a vital role in World War II, fighting tirelessly to liberate Nazi-occupied territories and losing millions of people during the war.