Part of Vasily Stalin's response to Khrushchev's demand to "condemn the personality cult of Stalin". In his memoirs "I will not give up my father! " He wrote: "I, Vasily Stalin, do not give up my father!
I had to repeat these words more than once. And during the interrogation, and afterwards, and during the last meeting with Khrushchev.
I, Vasily Stalin, do not give up my father! And point!
I cannot condemn the "cult of personality" and the "crimes of Stalinism". Because there is nothing to condemn. They condemn crimes and criminals. I can condemn the one who poisoned my father and humiliated his great deeds. I can condemn those who violated the blessed memory of the leader. I can and must denounce! This is my duty, not only as a son, but also as an honest Soviet man.
My conscience is clear. He cannot be tarnished with false accusations. Just like lies and slander cannot tarnish my father's memory. He took over from Lenin the young Soviet state, which was threatened from all sides, including from within, by enemies, and left behind a large socialist state, surrounded by brother socialist states. Is it a crime? Is this something to be ashamed of? What kind of personality cult are we talking about? My father was the helmsman who led the country to prosperity and victories. He was honored for it. This is the whole "cult". What a vile word they found. "Cult" is when bows hit the floor with the forehead. The father was respected and loved. This is not a cult. This is called national love. You can remove monuments, but you cannot remove love and respect from people's hearts. It is sacred. And it's forever. I am sure that in a hundred years no one will remember Khrushchev and Bulganin. And Comrade Stalin will always be remembered. I say this not only as a son, but as a Soviet man, a communist, a dialectician-materialist... ".