European states accuse Russia of erasing Stalin's crimes

Four European states accused Russia on Thursday of trying to destroy the memory of Soviet leader Josef Stalin's crimes against his own people after a monument to Russians and other people executed by his secret police was dismantled in Siberia. The monument, located in the city of Novosibirsk, was removed by local authorities, sparking condemnation from European nations who see it as part of a broader effort to whitewash Soviet history. The accusation comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and Europe over the war in Ukraine and historical narratives.