Russia to reveal Katyn secrets?

19th March 2010

© NPE All eyes will be on how Putin handles the ceremony Share:

The Russian media is speculating over the outcome of the meeting between Donald Tusk and Vladimir Putin at the upcoming Katyn massacre ceremony next month.

In 1940, Over 20,000 Polish officers were murdered by the NKVD (People’s Ministry of Internal Affairs) and the massacre has long been a source of tension between the nations.

“Katyn is probably the most painful problem that Russia inherited from the Soviet Union,” writes historical journalist Leonid Mleczin. “In both countries, people are waiting to hear what our government has to say.”

According to Mleczin, the best way for Russia to draw a line under the horrific events is for the government to
identify those responsible.

“People abroad know who did it. But the only people aware of this in Russia are historians. The older generation would be shocked at such a discovery. And the younger generation blindly follow the motto: Don’t let them accuse Russia.”

The very fact that the invitation was made personally, has led some to believe that the ceremony could signal a turning point in relations.

“Putin made the call on his own initiative and did not extend the invitation through his ambassador. This is proof of the good relations between both PMs and is another step towards better Polish-Russian relations,” says Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski.