There was very little public debate about the systematic killings of European Jews by the Holocaust and Hitler in the Soviet Union.
On the Soviet soil, there were some monuments or plates regarding Jewish victims, in places to massacre Jews by the Nazis.
Which started to change after the fall of communism. Russian authorities proudly say about their country’s historical role in defeating Hitler and protecting Jews from destruction.
Twenty years ago, President Putin was invited to attend the celebrations on the 60th anniversary of Auschwitz’s independence.
Addressing in Krako on January 27, 2005, he noted:
“The Nazis chose Poland as a massacre of people’s massacre, above all, the Jews … we have a destruction not only as a national tragedy for the Jewish people but also for the whole humanity. Let’s see. “
“It is our duty to remember the Holocaust,” he added.
Since then, Russia’s relations have been rapidly strained with Poland, Europe and the West, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russian authorities have not been called back to Poland on the 80th anniversary of the independence of the Auschwitz camp.
“This is the anniversary of independence. We remember the victims, but we also celebrate the independence,” the Auschwitz Museum Director Piotr Cywinski wrote last September. “Russia’s presence is difficult to imagine, which does not clearly understand the value of freedom.”
One of Russia’s most influential Jewish leaders has condemned the decision not to invite Moscow.
“Not inviting Russia is aggressive for the memory of the libertarians and their support for their victory over fascism,” said Rabbi Alexander Boroda, President of the Russian Federation of Geosh Communities of Russia.
“This is a very bad sign because memory is important and there are shared values ​​that helped defeat fascism. Despite their differences, the countries of the anti -Hitler coalition, different political systems and ideas succeed in uniting for joint victory. “
Meanwhile, the Jewish groups here are doing everything possible to remind the Russians in the past so that it will not be repeated again.
“The right wing is on the rise everywhere.
“That is why it is important for people to tell about the events that have taken place over 80 years ago.”
