DISINFO: Stalin did not get his hands dirty while signing a document with Hitler while European leaders did
DISINFORMATION CASE DETAILS
  • Outlet: francais.rt.com (archived)*
  • Date of publication: March 12, 2020
  • Outlet language(s): French
  • Reported in: Issue 190
  • Countries / regions discussed: UK, France, Poland, Russia
Tags:
European Parliament WWII Vladimir Putin

DISINFO: Stalin did not get his hands dirty while signing a document with Hitler while European leaders did

SUMMARY

Stalin did not directly negotiate with Hitler but only through subalterns, therefore there is no document bearing the signature of both Hitler and Stalin whereas western leaders did have direct contact in Munich. Therefore the Soviet Union doesn’t bear any responsibility for the beginning of WWII.

RESPONSE

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation claiming that the European Union is trying to rewrite the history of World War II. This narrative attempts to erode the disastrous historical role of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact by stating that other European countries signed various international agreements with Germany after Adolf Hitler came into power. The European Parliament resolution on the importance of European remembrance for the future of Europe stressed the fact that WWII was an immediate result of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. The resolution is aimed at the promotion of historical remembrance about WWII and condemnation of totalitarian ideologies. See related disinformation cases here. The fact that Stalin did not directly sign documents but only through his subalterns doesn't minimise the responsibility of the Soviet Union. The non-aggression pact and the secret protocol between the Soviet Union and the Third Reich had to be negotiated, safely, quickly and secretly that explains why Hitler didn't come in person in Moscow and why the signatures are not by the hands of the leaders but their full representatives. The document has the same value as if it was personally signed by Hitler and Stalin.

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Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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