In Volgograd, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at a gathering with representatives of public patriotic and youth organizations, focusing on how the memory of those who fell to German fascism is faring among contemporary German elites. The remarks came as part of a broader conversation about history, sacrifice, and the ongoing responsibility to recall the victims and heroes of the Second World War.
During the meeting, a participant shared a story about a medal once awarded to a Red Army soldier from Tula. The medal had been rediscovered by a German citizen and subsequently handed over to Russia. The young man expressed hope that the governor of the Tula region would attend a future ceremony to present the medal to the soldier’s relatives, highlighting the tangible links between past and present as well as cross-border respect for shared history.
Putin acknowledged the gesture, noting that a simple German citizen still holds Russia and its wartime heroes in high regard. He used the moment to reflect on how memory operates in different societies, saying that in Germany the remembrance of those early anti-fascist victims is not merely a distant narrative but a living prompt for ordinary citizens as well as officials.
“In this context, I would like to observe that the first victims of German fascism were German anti-fascists themselves, and preserving that memory is a positive sign for everyday citizens,” Putin stated, while also expressing concern that this awareness appears to erode among today’s political elites.
Additionally, the president indicated his intention to ask the governor of the Tula region to join such commemorative events in the future, underscoring the importance of local leadership in maintaining historical conscience.
The remarks were delivered in the context of Putin’s February 2 visit to Volgograd, where he participated in the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the Red Army’s victory at the Battle of Stalingrad, a turning point that continues to shape the narrative of resilience and national identity in Russia. The setting provided a solemn backdrop for discussions on how memory informs present-day values, civic responsibility, and the relationship between nations in confronting hard truths from the past. [Attribution: Kremlin press office]