Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly condemned attempts to “modify” World War II history in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, May 6.
The conversation focused on efforts to deal with Moscow’s view as forged outcomes of war.
In a statement issued by the Kremlin, it was pointed out that both leaders were determined to protect the truth about the events of World War II. “It is pointed out that the two countries are determined to defend the truth about the events of World War II in order to oppose attempts to modify its results and forge history,” the statement said.
As part of a commemoration to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany, Putin will take on a large military parade in Moscow on Friday to spend what Russia calls victory day. The Kremlin also stressed that the memories of those who sacrificed their lives in the war are sacred in Russia and Israel, where May 9 is also considered a public holiday.
The call comes after former U.S. President Donald Trump asserted last week that the United States made the greatest contribution to the victory of the Allied forces in World War II, angering Russia. In response, the Kremlin stressed that both Putin and Netanyahu acknowledged the “decisive contribution of the Red Army and the entire Soviet people to failed Nazism.”
Israeli readers responded to these sentiments, with Netanyahu highlighting the key role the Red Army played in the victory over the Nazis.
World War II was known as the “Great Patriotic War” in Russia, causing great damage to the Soviet Union, resulting in the loss of more than 20 million civilians and military lives. The war also saw the system of more than 6 million Jews extinction during the Holocaust.
Putin has been doing his best to strengthen his national identity throughout his presidency, making May 9 the most important public holiday in Russia and using his army as a defender of opposing fascism. Putin also often referred to Russia’s actions in Ukraine as a struggle with the “Nazi regime” using this rhetoric as justification for ongoing conflict, which led to thousands of deaths.
