Video: Vladimir Putin: 'What's the difference between Oliver Cromwell and Stalin?' Russian President Vladimir Putin responded in an unusual and unexpected way to to a question about keeping statues of Soviet-era leaders during his annual press conference. Mr Putin commented on a wide range of issues - from Iranian nuclear talks, Greenpeace activists, Edward Snowden to Pussy Riot punk group members. When asked whether Russia should restore statues of it's Soviet-era leaders, he even found time to compare England's revolutionary leader Oliver Cromwell to Joseph Stalin. What is the essential difference between (Oliver) Cromwell and (Joseph) Stalin? Can you tell me? No difference," he said. From the viewpoint of the liberal spectrum of our political establishment, he (Cromwell) is a same cruel dictator as Stalin. He was a very treacherous man, as well, one should say. In the history of Great Britain he played quite a controversial role. His monument is standing, (and) no one is going to remove it. The essence is not in these symbols, but in the need to treat with respect every period of our history.