Molotov-Ribben-what?

Posted By Joshua Keating Thursday, June 11, 2009 - 2:12 PM Share

I'm way late to the story of the Russian military historian who posted an article on the Defense Ministry's website blaming Poland for starting World War II by objecting to totally reasonable Nazi demands. Here's the key exceprt from Col. Sergei Kovalyov article, “Inventions and Falsifications in the Assessment of the Role of the USSR on the Eve and at the Start of World War II”:

“[The war] was begun as a result of the refusal of Poland to satisfy … extremely moderate demands such as including the free city of Danzig in the Third Reich [and] permission for the construction of extra-territorial highways and railroad, which would connect East Prussia with the rest of Germany.”

Sounds reasonable. Not surprisingly the ministry is now distancing itself from the article.

EXPLORE:EASTERN EUROPE, HISTORY, RUSSIA

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