Putin blames US for low interest in WWII events
Print Edition
Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday accused the United States of putting pressure on world leaders not to attend events in Russia held to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Russia will stage a military parade on May 9 in what Putin called a display of “respect for victims of Nazis and to pay tribute to the ... victors over Nazism.” But many leaders have declined to attend because of Moscow’s backing for separatist rebels in Ukraine.
Asked at his annual phone-in whether Russia should be offended by those who have declined invitations, Putin said “whoever doesn’t want to (join) can do as they please.”
“This is the personal choice of every political leader and the decision of the country they represent,” he said.
“Some are unwilling to do so and some are prohibited to do so by the “Washington Obkom.”
The “Obkom” is a Soviet term for a Communist Party body and his use of it suggests that post-Soviet states follow orders from the US.
Putin emphasized the stance that Soviet troops were responsible for victory in the war, in which more than 20 million Soviet citizens were killed. Many Russians say the West delayed opening a second front unnecessarily.
“We are celebrating our holiday. This is our holiday. We pay respect to the generation of victors,” Putin said.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
