Stalin is one of the greatest figures of modern history. He has secured his name not only in Soviet history, but in the history of the world. Under his leadership old history (or story?) changed, renewed, became young, and changed into the modern Soviet Union. He lifted the USSR to the level of a great world power—made it more powerful than Russia ever was and could have been.

—Juho Paasikivi, 7th President of Finland, 2nd and 28th prime minister of Finland