Support The Moscow Times!

Head of 'Russian World' Foundation Appointed Duma Foreign Affairs Chief

Vyacheslav Nikonov Wikicommons / Government.ru

Revisionist historian Vyacheslav Nikonov is set to be become head of Russia’s parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, the RIA Novosti news agency reported Thursday.

Nikonov currently heads Russian cultural organization Russky Mir, a state-backed group which aims to promote Russian language and culture across the globe.

His previous comments on foreign affairs have often been disparaging toward the West, with Nikonov telling reporters in 2013 that, "The only two episodes when the West viewed Russia positively were in 1917 and 1991, when Russia was disintegrating."

Nikonov's work has seen him promote a “patriotic” version of Russian history in the nation's schools, and serving as the assistant to the head of the KGB in 1991.

Nikonov's grandfather, Vyacheslav Molotov, rose to power as a protégé of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more