At a news conference, Trump mused about Russia’s role in World War II and our alliance with Russia.

He began by saying that he just finished talking to President Macron of France, who said the French were celebrating “our victory” in World War II. Trump scoffed.

Then he said he had a conversation with President Putin. This reminded Trump that the Russians had been our allies in World War II, that they had lost 51 million people fighting the Nazis, and that Putin had fought with them. Yes, Putin himself assured our victory.

So why, he wondered, does everyone now hate Russia, but love Germany and Japan, who were our enemies?

“Macron was a good man. I said ‘what are you doing?’ he goes, uh, ‘we’re celebrating World War Two, our victory.’ I said ‘your victory? heh, your victory. tell me about that.’ and then I called somebody else, and I happened to speak to President Putin at the time. now, in all fairness to him, he lost 51 million people, and he did fight. Russia fought. sort of interesting, isn’t it? he fought with us at World War Two, and everybody hates him. and Germany and Japan, they’re fine, you know? someday, somebody will explain that, but I like Germany and Japan, too. but Putin is a little confused by that, you know? he said ‘we lost 51 million people and we were your ally and now everybody hates Russia, and they love Germany and Japan.’ I said ‘let’s explain that some time, ok?’ it’s a, uh, it’s a strange world.”

Here are a few pointers for Trump:

Stalin and Hitler signed a friendship pact in 1939 (non-aggression pact). Hitler invaded the USSR in 1941. After Hitler’s attack, the USSR became an ally of the anti-Nazis.

Stalin was one of the worst dictators in history. But the UK, other European allies, and the U.S. welcomed him into the alliance against the Nazis.

The Russians had more casualties than any other nation, but not 51 million.

AI summarized the sources:

An estimated 27 million Soviet citizens, including both military personnel and civilians, perished during World War II. This figure represents the highest number of casualties for any nation involved in the war. Of these deaths, around 8.7 to 10.7 million were military personnel, while 10.4 to 13.3 million were civilians. The majority of Soviet citizens who died were civilians. 

So, no, 51 million Russians did not die in WWII.

Contrary to Trump, Putin did not fight “with us” in World War II. He was born in 1952.

Why do people hate Russia now–our wartime allies– but love Germany and Japan–iur enemies in World War II?

Most Americans remember that the U.S. and the USSR parted ways after that war. Stalin continued to rule Russia and satellite nations with an iron fist. He was always a brutal dictator who crushed dissent and murdered enemies and banned criticism and sent poets and playwrights into Siberian work camp.

When the USSR collapsed in 1991, western nations and Russian democrats hoped that Russian would shed its authoritarian past and join the western world as a free society.

Meanwhile, Germany and Japan shed their history of fascism and built sturdy democracies (Germany was split in two, with a democratic West Germany and a Soviet-controlled East Germany until the USSR disintegrated in 1991).

Americans today admire Germany and Japan because they are now stable democracies with thriving economies.

Most Americans do not like Putin because he is a dictator who has been in power since 2000 (with a brief power when he was the shadow leader), and the Russian parliament has extended his term to 2036.

Putin disappears his rivals. They are murdered in broad daylight, or mysteriously fall out of buildings, or are poisoned, or–like Alexei Navalny–die of unknown causes in remote prisons. No free press. No free speech. No dissent permitted.

AI summary of deaths attributed to Stalin:

Estimates of the number of people who died under Stalin’s rule range from 10 to 30 million, with most historians agreeing on a figure around 20 million. This includes both intentional killings and deaths due to starvation, forced labor, and neglect. 

Elaboration: 

  • Estimates Vary:Different sources provide varying estimates, reflecting the difficulty in compiling accurate data from the Soviet archives. 
  • Official Records:Declassified Soviet archives revealed official records of executions, Gulag deaths, and deaths related to forced resettlement and deportations, totaling around 3.3 million. 
  • Soviet Famine:The Holodomor, a man-made famine in the 1930s, resulted in the deaths of millions, with estimates ranging from 5.5 to 6.5 million. (Ukraine)
  • “Purposive” vs. Neglect:Historian Stephen Wheatcroft estimates that around 1 million of the deaths were intentional, while the rest resulted from neglect and irresponsibility. 
  • Context Matters:It’s important to remember that Stalin’s policies led to widespread suffering and death, not just through executions but also through starvation, forced labor, and the overall repressive nature of his regime. 

If Trump liked to read (he doesn’t), I would recommend that he read The Black Book of Communism, written by French historians.

If others can explain better to Trump why most Americans don’t like Putin, please add your thoughts.