India-Russia: News & Analysis

Brad Goodman · Post by **Brad Goodman** » 01 Apr 2010 22:39

Ramna ji thanks for the reply the follow-up question would be Russia definately has a stake in Afghan peace & stability. Plus if they want to solve the terror problem they need to also address the issue of supplylines to chechen and these supplylines run thro AfPak region. Without cutting these all they can do is immitate Indian model of taking blows on cheek and standing in the ring (not getting knocked off) I guess India might have the necessary man power and softness to live with terror I doubt Russians will behave the same way.

Mahendra · Post by **Mahendra** » 01 Apr 2010 22:40

Karan Dixit wrote:Knowledge is supposed to help us but in the case of some people, it is downright harmful. Some of the posts on this thread are making me shake my head in disbelief.

Anyhow, my sympathy to the victims of terror.

(Now it is time to exit the thread till it calms down.)

Acharya and Prem have explained the reasons behind some of the posts on this thread

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 01 Apr 2010 23:06

ramana wrote:The revival of the Chechen bombings in Russia could be Af-Pak related. Russia had been making noises that it would setup an alternate Afghan resolution team with non NATO powers. The bombings could be a signal to mind their own backyard before venturing to solve other problems.

Seems Its all realated, Bombing tells few things,
The deal with Talibunnies is sealed , announced with bang and Its back to 80s, Pakis are again in heat and tight warm lap, AfPak,iran, Russia, India ,WEST equation still remain same ,prisoner of centuries old geopolitics. Onlee the economic and militatry growth of India can break this logjam, restore the balance and usher in real progressive 21st Century in the mindset of both covert and overt players. Chinese has too narrow a mind to play meaningful ,lasting role in this game to make paradigm shift which require kicking out /elimination of certain "civilized' and "uncivlized " players. Question is how long will this chess be played out, its apparent that no one is asking for Afghanistan as neutral power to shut down this shadow boxing competetion going on for so long.

(There is one simple solution , send whole of Afpak and Chechenya population to the real Mother Eve ,UQland)

Johann · Post by **Johann** » 02 Apr 2010 11:02

ramana wrote:
Johann wrote:Chechnya was effectively independent from 1991 until 1999. The Chechen clans had a huge problem with the Salafi jihadis who provoked the second Russian invasion of 1999, as well as attempting to take over.

The Salafi jihadis also destroyed the united Chechen front with their power grab - many Chechen commanders went over to the Russians after Khattab's antics. Without those Chechen defections the Russian army would be either still fighting for Groznyy today if Moscow chose to stick it out.

This is the nature of the Salafi-jihadis; utterly self-destructive. Yet they were very attractive at first to the isolated Chechens because they promised loads of Gulf money and material support.

Lots of people around the world are in wars with other people, or the state. The difference is that if you're Muslim, the Salafi Jihadis are ready and willing to come to your aid, but at a price. They'll try to remake your culture, take over your politics, and take over your war and fight it for their purposes, and kill you if you oppose them. But if you're desperate enough for help you wont think you can afford to say no, not until its too late.

If you think this only happens in non-Muslim countries, think again. It happens in Muslim ones as well - discontented Bedouin in Egypt, Tuareg in Mauritania and Algeria, etc, etc. Any marginalised group that has a beef.

Its just like the Maoists with tribal groups in India, Latin America, South East Asia, etc.
Very good summation of the issue. Also Salafi -jihadists use suicide bombers as a weapon to kill infidels. So they are not suicide prone people per se, who might be psychological cases, but hardened Salafi Jihadists.

Ramana,

Salafi jihadis usually form the core of their suicide attack cadres.

However in a long campaign, or an expanded campaign they need many sources - those seeking vengeance for family members according to local honour codes, the depressed and disturbed, the desperate looking for financial rewards for their family, etc. When they're really desperate they'll go for the unwilling - people who think they are transporting explosives, not signing up for a 1-way mission, or the simple minded, or even 'penal' cases - people who faced the threat of execution and sought a more honorable way out.

Its worth remembering that once these people are lionised for their actions you don't even need religious motivation to recruit. The secular Syrian Socialist Nationalist Party, Fatah, the LTTE all managed to find people willing to go through with it. Extreme nationalist/communal rhetoric in an environment of social contol already holds up self-sacrifice, and the trade of blood for soil as the noblest possible act.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 02 Apr 2010 17:29

Teenage ‘Black Widow’ behind Moscow bombing

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 03 Apr 2010 03:43

Massacre in woods that brought war to Moscow's metro

I wonder if the Guardian will publish a similar article if an Iraqi or Afghan suicide bomber blows himself up on the London Underground to "'avenge" an alleged atrocity by British troops.

Carl_T · Post by **Carl_T** » 03 Apr 2010 04:00

Now why would they take the Russian side?

On that topic, more "psy ops":

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... Mar15.html

How a Chechen terror suspect wound up living on taxpayers' dollars near the National Zoo

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » 05 Apr 2010 16:28

Suicide bomber kills two in Ingushetia

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 06 Apr 2010 00:39

Discontent Grows over Moscow's Impotency in Dealing with Terror

It is doubtful that the Kremlin has truly learned from the bloody attacks. Government television stations were quick to equate the bombings with the attacks on Madrid commuter trains in 2004 and the London Underground in 2005, as if the Moscow attacks were an act of international terrorism.

When British born people kill their own countrymen, it is "an act of international terrorism"

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 08 Apr 2010 17:55

India, Russia and the U.S.: Three's a Crowd?

Fine article! great conclusion.. the dynamics of ind-rus-us relationship! (well summarised)

There is no doubt that India needs both Moscow and Washington in order to advance its strategic interests. The U.S. holds the key to an international legal architecture that enables India's pursuit of high technology programs, while Russia is a valued partner for strategic transfers. As a result, India is likely to continue pursuing a policy of vigorous engagement with America, even as it adds ballast to its old ties with Russia.

sum · Post by **sum** » 08 Apr 2010 21:17

Gerard wrote:Discontent Grows over Moscow's Impotency in Dealing with Terror
It is doubtful that the Kremlin has truly learned from the bloody attacks. Government television stations were quick to equate the bombings with the attacks on Madrid commuter trains in 2004 and the London Underground in 2005, as if the Moscow attacks were an act of international terrorism.
When British born people kill their own countrymen, it is "an act of international terrorism"

The shameless hypocrisy is mind-boggling ( esp the language used in the last sentence of the quoted part which seems to be mocking the Russians)

Deans · Post by **Deans** » 08 Apr 2010 21:48

I don't think the average Russian (even a `western oriented' Muscovite) gives a #@$! as to what the Western Media thinks about the latest attacks. Some points from my interaction with the `average Ivan'.

1. Most feel the authorities have done a reasonably good job in limiting attacks in Moscow - esp. considering the
number of Chechens who live and work in Moscow. There is certainly no sense of flustration or helplessness.
2. The media has compared the attacks to Madrid, London (and Mumbai) because they were comparable. All were acts
of terrorism.
3. People generally favour the hardline approach towards terrorism.
4. Follow up bombings in Inguchetia do not indicate any failure of policy / increase in terrorism because they are
relatively common in the South Caucasus.

Altair · Post by **Altair** » 10 Apr 2010 22:04

on second thoughts
-self deleted-

kittoo · Post by **kittoo** » 10 Apr 2010 22:41

Altair wrote:Putin does love fast chess.
Kyrgyztan and now Poland.Whats Next move?

I dont understand what you mean. Does it have any relation with the plane crash?

Karna_A · Post by **Karna_A** » 10 Apr 2010 23:35

Russia is well known to dispose off those not in it's liking to plane crashes.
Zia Ul Haq was a prime example, closer to home there are some probable examples from India too.

kittoo wrote:
Altair wrote:Putin does love fast chess.
Kyrgyztan and now Poland.Whats Next move?
I dont understand what you mean. Does it have any relation with the plane crash?

Mahendra · Post by **Mahendra** » 10 Apr 2010 23:45

Needless CT

rsingh · Post by **rsingh** » 10 Apr 2010 23:50

Not sure about Putin's hand in this crash. I am surprised that Russia has accepted responsibility for Khytin incident during WW2. I remember one particular incident during Piristroika period.There was some noise about Russians smoking on sites in Khytin. Then the host of most popular prime time show (bjglyad) said " the way Polish treat our Red Army monuments..........I would like not only to smoke but to do pee as well". And majority of Russians agreed. So now when I read that Polish Prime minister was going to khytin.................I am confused.

Johann · Post by **Johann** » 12 Apr 2010 04:53

The suggestion by a couple of members that Putin was somehow behind the crash is more than just absurd, it also feeds the most insane and out of touch Russophobia.

Stalin did murder the troublesome leadership of several states (including Poland), but firstly and most importantly, Putin is not Stalin.

Putin unlike Stalin is NOT in power because everyone in the elite is terrified of him, and under his direct authority. He is in power because the Russian bureaucratic and economic elite support his rule. They trust him to prevent them from tearing each other (and secondarily Russia) completely apart in their vicious competition with each other for power and wealth. That is the authority Yeltsin failed to exercise from 1996-99.

Putin is willing to use intimidation and create trouble to improve his negotiating position with other powers. He supports traditonal KGB methods to co-opt, smear, or imprison the opposition, and he is willing to assassinate the system's enemies, but he is not a mass-murderer.

Secondly Stalin only took such steps when he was sure he was already in control of the situation, or very close to achieving control. Stalin co-invaded Poland with Hitler in 1939, and in 1943-44 re-occupied the whole country after falling out with the Nazis. Soviet troops were stationed in the country until the end of the Cold War, and the Red Army installed Polish Worker's Party answered to Moscow, and depended on Soviet aid.

Today Russia has today has virtually no leverage over Polish politics, and Polish nationalism is not an easy force to contain or co-opt even when you use mass-murder like Hitler and Stalin. It is in no position to even threaten an invasion of Poland, and has no real allies in Polish politics. There's simply no advantage to strengthening already strong Russophobia in Poland when you have no means to control it. So I have to say, even Stalin wouldnt have tried to do it this way under these circumstances.

arun · Post by **arun** » 12 Apr 2010 21:35

If true, Russia may have leveraged satisfying Commodore Sukhjinder Singh’s libido into a USD1.356 Billion windfall for herself.

It may be prudent for Russia to voluntarily provide India a USD1.356 Billion grant:

Navy officer in Gorshkov deal faces sex-scandal inquiry

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 12 Apr 2010 22:04

arun wrote:If true, Russia may have leveraged satisfying Commodore Sukhjinder Singh’s libido into a USD1.356 Billion windfall for herself.

It may be prudent for Russia to voluntarily provide India a USD1.356 Billion grant:

Navy officer in Gorshkov deal faces sex-scandal inquiry

It could be the other way around as well, Russians are trying to get some cheap revenge for a hard as nails approach by a Indian officer (note the pictures were as far as currently known of a personal relationship) or some one else trying to get a Indian officer out of the way by defaming him?

negi · Post by **negi** » 12 Apr 2010 22:13

Chankian logic at play eh ? Why would Russians shoot themselves in foot Gorshkov has been a dream deal for them.
I know nothing about the officer in question here but to float this as a RU conspiracy is crazy .

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 12 Apr 2010 22:37

negi wrote: Chankian logic at play eh ? Why would Russians shoot themselves in foot Gorshkov has been a dream deal for them.
I know nothing about the officer in question here but to float this as a RU conspiracy is crazy .

Dream deal? Just for 1 Billion more? Maybe they were dreaming bigger? After all Russian not falling in love with Indian Navy official is well known?

So the officer had a fling, big deal, does it mean he was necessarily also compromising his duties? Knee jerk reactions are best avoided.

Karna_A · Post by **Karna_A** » 12 Apr 2010 22:43

Sanku wrote:
arun wrote:If true, Russia may have leveraged satisfying Commodore Sukhjinder Singh’s libido into a USD1.356 Billion windfall for herself.

It may be prudent for Russia to voluntarily provide India a USD1.356 Billion grant:

Navy officer in Gorshkov deal faces sex-scandal inquiry
It could be the other way around as well, Russians are trying to get some cheap revenge for a hard as nails approach by a Indian officer (note the pictures were as far as currently known of a personal relationship) or some one else trying to get a Indian officer out of the way by defaming him?

Russia has a long history of using "Swallow" girls to honey trap Indians starting in 1950s.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/18053053/The- ... s-in-India

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 12 Apr 2010 22:51

Karna_A wrote: Russia has a long history of using "Swallow" girls to honey trap Indians starting in 1950s.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/18053053/The- ... s-in-India

I know, this could be Russian doing for whatever reason. One obvious explanation is that the officer was induced to give favors or secrets stolen, but perhaps he did not give favors and was hence targeted.

We should wait before equating having a relationship with necessarily doing anything wrong.

Karna_A · Post by **Karna_A** » 12 Apr 2010 23:02

Sanku wrote:
Karna_A wrote: Russia has a long history of using "Swallow" girls to honey trap Indians starting in 1950s.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/18053053/The- ... s-in-India
I know, this could be Russian doing for whatever reason. One obvious explanation is that the officer was induced to give favors or secrets stolen, but perhaps he did not give favors and was hence targeted.

We should wait before equating having a relationship with necessarily doing anything wrong.

Russian Inteliigence has a long view of decades and not months. Most probably he did not give any favor at this time but the effort may have been to wait 15 or so years when he is an Admiral rank or so he can provide more valuable help.
Russians are known to provide money and other inducements for years even decades before asking for any favor.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 12 Apr 2010 23:12

negi wrote: Chankian logic at play eh ? Why would Russians shoot themselves in foot Gorshkov has been a dream deal for them.
I know nothing about the officer in question here but to float this as a RU conspiracy is crazy .

negi ji,

Indians dropping anchor in foreign ports is nothing new. It's been going on for decades.

The goris there are not as straitlaced as our own and do not see casual relationships as anything more than just that. More over they really like Indians out there.

I bet my boots that in the current project, like as in any other, there's a lot of casual bonking going on. It's just aerobic exercise and nothing more than that. To see a conspiracy in every friendly poke is to divert the issue.

Single handed, the poor chappie would not have been able to do any damage of consequence.

Someone in Delhi has it in big time for the poor guy. He has been shafted, pure and simple.

negi · Post by **negi** » 13 Apr 2010 00:19

Sanku et al I do not wish to speculate more on this the fact is unlike other foreign vendors or OEMs RU entities still enjoy a monopoly over a large chunk of Indian defense market and despite this on paper their track record as far as kickbacks and other stuff goes is pretty much stellar

unlike the U-209, Bofors, Barak they for some reason have never been found guilty of foul play so I simply don't see any reason for them to shoot themselves in their foot specially when they have examples of Denel and HDW before them

. So if we are to float CTs they better have some wings to fly .

Btw this theory about RU trying to defame a IN officer who happens to be in charge of the deal (which has been concluded ) is hilarious for at the end of the day if charges are proven then it would be the OEM who will get blacklisted just like the Denel , Bofors or even HDW .

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 13 Apr 2010 11:30

negi wrote: Btw this theory about RU trying to defame a IN officer who happens to be in charge of the deal (which has been concluded ) is hilarious for at the end of the day if charges are proven then it would be the OEM who will get blacklisted just like the Denel , Bofors or even HDW .

Nope, this will be done quite simply, right, some one not connected will post some pictures in a envelop to South Block.

Unlike a money trail, cant be linked back.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 13 Apr 2010 15:07

I've posted elsewhere my doubts as to how such small fry had an influence on the price which was a hotbed of controversy for a few years.The final decisionmakers are the ones who wrap up the deal.Small fry like the officer named could've instead been trapped for acquiring information about the specs,modifications and upgrades by an outside entity,as a lot of speculation and keen interest as to the new look/weaponry of the carrier has been going on for some time,including the possibility of nukes being carried aboard delivered either by the MIG-29Ks or by missiles installed.If any suich info was passed on,it would be a very serious lapse indeed.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 14 Apr 2010 01:54

The Strength Of Four
By Dmitry Medvedev

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 18 Apr 2010 06:08

X-post

Russian Space Center Khrunichev ready to continue cooperation with India

India would return to Russia after the details of the failed satellite launch :- Russian Space Center Khrunichev ready to continue cooperation with India in the field of the block, despite the failure of the national launch rocket GSLV, told RIA Novosti on Friday, the representative of the company.

“Our cooperation with India continues, and if the Indian side will be followed by a proposal for its prolongation, we are ready to consider it”, – said the representative of the Centre Khrunichev.

Head of ISRO Mr.Radhakrishnan said on Thursday that, despite the setback, India will implement the next launch missiles with domestic cryogenic upper stage during the year. The reasons for the failure of start Radhakrishnan has promised to publish after the analysis of flight parameters.

According to him, just so far carried out five launches GSLV launch vehicle upper stage with the Russian “12 BEF” made by the Centre Khrunichev.

“By agreement with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), must be performed two more missile launch vehicle GSLV with Russia’s upper stage such as” 12 BEF “- said the representative of the Centre Khrunichev.

Karan Dixit · Post by **Karan Dixit** » 22 Apr 2010 11:07

The BrahMos missile has a range of 290 km and can carry a warhead of up to 300 kg. It can effectively engage ground targets from an altitude as low as 10 metres and has a top speed of Mach 2.8, which is three times faster than the US-made subsonic Tomahawk cruise missile.

http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-93937.html

CRamS · Post by **CRamS** » 24 Apr 2010 00:14

How I wish, there is just one Indian diplomat who can give it back to Amercians like this Russian diplomat has: Understanding Terrorism. Instead we hear the same crap about how deep India US strategic relations are. Cross posting in the Indo-US thread as well.

Karan Dixit · Post by **Karan Dixit** » 24 Apr 2010 11:46

CRamS wrote:How I wish, there is just one Indian diplomat who can give it back to Amercians like this Russian diplomat has: Understanding Terrorism. Instead we hear the same crap about how deep India US strategic relations are. Cross posting in the Indo-US thread as well.

First, pushing for a better relation whether strategic or non strategic with US is a necessity not a luxury. Second, the Indian diplomats have to actually safeguard the nation, which ventures into the domain of deeds vs cheap talks.

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 26 Apr 2010 14:25

Karan Dixit wrote: First, pushing for a better relation whether strategic or non strategic with US is a necessity not a luxury. Second, the Indian diplomats have to actually safeguard the nation, which ventures into the domain of deeds vs cheap talks.

Errnt isnt the deed of a diplomat to talk.

Jokes apart I do think Indian diplomats are there to talk about the Indian PoV as defined by GoI, unfortunately (in context of wish for a strong position on matters) as far as I can see they are doing exactly that.

Karan Dixit · Post by **Karan Dixit** » 05 May 2010 08:48

India and Russia are genuine and natural strategic partners, and are the only two major powers in the entire annals of international relations which have never had any clash of interests. One of the most important elements of Indo-Russian strategic partnership is defence cooperation.

http://en.rian.ru/trend/hindirusi/

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 05 May 2010 17:02

A wonderful find.Marshal Zhukov's taped interview on the fine line between victory and defeat in WW2.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... Nazis.html

Excerpt:

Soviet commander admits USSR came close to defeat by Nazis
An interview in which a Soviet commander admitted how close Moscow came to defeat by Germany during the Second World War has been broadcast in Russia for the first time.

Published: 05 May 2010

Russian General Georgi Zhukov (centre) and his officers near the Seelower Hoehen battlefields in April 1945 Photo: AFP/GETTY IMAGES The Soviet Union nearly lost the war in 1941 and suffered from poor planning, according to Marshal Georgy Zhukov in the frank television interview that has been banned since it was recorded in 1966.

Zhukov, the most decorated general in the history of both Russia and the Soviet Union, admitted that Soviet generals were not confident that they could hold the German forces at the Mozhaisk defence line outside Moscow.

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"Did the commanders have confidence we would hold that line of defence and be able to halt the enemy? I have to say frankly that we did not have complete certainty.

"It would have been possible to contain the initial units of the opponent but if he quickly sent in his main group, he would have been difficult to stop," he told the interviewer, the Soviet writer Konstantin Simonov.

Zhukov also revealed details of his exchanges with Joseph Stalin, the wartime leader, in the interview broadcast on state-run Channel One.

He recalled that a flu-struck Stalin summoned him to Moscow in October 1941 to salvage what until then had been a stuttering defence on the Western front outside Moscow.

After arriving at the front, Zhukov found that the defences in place were "absolutely insufficient".

"It was an extremely dangerous situation. In essence, all the approaches to Moscow were open," he said. "Our troops on the Mozhaisk defence line could not have stopped the enemy if he moved on Moscow."

"I telephoned Stalin. I said the most urgent thing is to occupy the Mozhaisk defence line as in parts of the Western front in essence there are no (Soviet) troops.

Shortly afterwards, Stalin phoned Zhukov back to inform him he had been made commander of the Western Front.

AnimeshP · Post by **AnimeshP** » 05 May 2010 19:32

Philip wrote:A wonderful find.Marshal Zhukov's taped interview on the fine line between victory and defeat in WW2.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... Nazis.html

Thanks Philip ... very interesting and informative read ...

However, noticed typical Brit habit of adding a totally unrelated sour note at the end of an article which covers Russia (they do the same with India)

Notably, Russia recently posted online documents about the Katyn massacre of Polish officers by Soviet forces in 1940.

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 06 May 2010 04:10

Anatoly Dobrynin, ambassador non-pareil

When Anatoly Dobrynin, unquestionably one of the most outstanding diplomats of the 20th century, died recently in Moscow at age 90, the Indian media took no notice of it. Nobody need blame the media for the simple reason that his arena of brisk activity was the United States where he was Soviet ambassador for a record period of over 24 years.
..
...
According to Alistair Horne, a British war historian and biographer — among others, of Henry Kissinger with whom Dobrynin had a very friendly working relationship — if the Cold War did not turn into a hot one, much of the credit must go to Dobrynin. Kissinger’s take is that in relaxing tensions and avoiding “inadvertent deadlocks” Dobrynin’s contribution was “central”.
...
...
During Dobrynin’s extraordinarily long tenure as Soviet ambassador in Washington, India was bound to figure in the exchanges between the two superpowers, and it did, literally with a bang during the Bangladesh crisis that began in March 1971 and led to the war for the liberation of Bangladesh in December that year. Kissinger records that he first discussed the “India-Pakistan crisis” with Dobrynin on July 19, “shortly after my secret trip to Pakistan. Dobrynin, oozing conciliation, asked for my views. I replied that we favoured a peaceful political evolution because a war could not be localised. Dobrynin said this was also the Soviet view; Moscow supported India’s political goals but was strongly discouraging military adventures”. The second discussion between the two on the same subject took place on August 17 after the Indo-Soviet Friendship Treaty had been signed. “Dobrynin gave me the same interpretation as (L.K.) Jha (Indian ambassador) had previously, insisting that the treaty had been in preparation for a long time. No more than Jha did he explain why premeditation should assuage our concern”.
...
...
Luckily, at both these meetings, held well after Indira Gandhi’s visit to Moscow, Yuli Vorontsov, Dobrynin’s devoted and able deputy, was also present. In the late ’70s and early ’80s he was ambassador to India. He gave me a detailed account of both these discussions. When Nixon personally pressed the Soviet side to join the US in “discouraging India from war”, Gromyko responded that avoiding war was “indeed desirable” but it was his considered judgment that the risk of war “resided, above all, in Pakistani provocations”.

“During the October 9 meeting”, according to Vorontsov, Dobrynin “very smoothly made short work of concerns voiced by Kissinger to the effect that Moscow had decided to use its veto in case India was brought before the UN Security Council; and further if Pakistan or China attacked India, the Soviet Union would respond with an airlift of military hardware”. (Incidentally, at this meeting, as an aside, Kissinger taunted Vorontsov that he was a warmonger. His reply: “My name is War Not Sov. You are the warmonger”.)
...
...

Johann · Post by **Johann** » 08 May 2010 14:22

Some in the Kremlin establishment wanted to put up posters of Stalin for the VE day celebrations, and that caused something of a debate both within and outside Russia.

Medvedev himself has used the occasion of victory over Hitler to denounce Stalin and the Soviet system of his times for what they did to his own citizens as well as others.

He's done a good job of condemning Stalin, while lauding Russians and others citizens of the former USSR for their fight against the Nazis.

http://zik.com.ua/en/news/2010/05/07/227753

There was no shortage of Russians who were so sick of Stalin that they barely bothered to resist the Germans in 1941, and even defected wholesale. Its only when they saw that the Nazis were willing to treat them even worse than Stalin that it became a truly national struggle, instead of just a war between two totalitarian parties. The Nazis weren't there to fight communism - they were there to liquidate Slavs, and resettle the land with Germans.