Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the decision to restore the historical name Stalingrad to the city of Volgograd should be addressed at the regional level. This was mentioned during a meeting with leaders of parliamentary factions in the State Duma, as reported by APA’s Moscow bureau.
“We need to think about it,” Putin emphasized, indicating that the decision should be based on the will of the local population and institutions.
The debate over the renaming gained momentum after the public movement “Veterans of Russia” submitted a petition to the president advocating for Volgograd to reclaim its former name. The activists believe that the name Stalingrad could boost tourism and highlight the city’s historical importance, particularly known for the critical battle of World War II.
The Communist Party of the Russian Federation also backed the initiative, formally proposing a similar request to Putin.
The president has mentioned that he does not dismiss the possibility of restoring the historical name, but only if the majority of Volgograd residents agree through public discussion or a referendum.
Putin had previously supported renaming the city’s airport “Stalingrad” as a tribute to the region’s heroic past.
Volgograd has been named as such since 1961, when it was changed during the de-Stalinization period in the Soviet Union.
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