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April 17, 2015

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Putin blames US for low interest in WWII events

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 鈥渞espect for victims of Nazis and to pay tribute to the ... victors over Nazism.鈥 But many leaders have declined to attend because of Moscow鈥檚 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 鈥渨hoever doesn鈥檛 want to (join) can do as they please.鈥

鈥淭his is the personal choice of every political leader and the decision of the country they represent,鈥 he said.

鈥淪ome are unwilling to do so and some are prohibited to do so by the 鈥淲ashington Obkom.鈥

The 鈥淥bkom鈥 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.

鈥淲e are celebrating our holiday. This is our holiday. We pay respect to the generation of victors,鈥 Putin said.


 

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