V. I. Lenin

Source: ru:PSS/v40; en:CW/CW30;es:MT
Translated: machine translation (DeepSeek) from the Russian; AI-translated.

1) “Our Attitude to the Lifting of the Blockade?”

We regard it as a big step forward. It opens up the possibility for us to pass from the war forced upon us by the capitalist governments of the Entente to peaceful construction. And that is the main thing for us. Straining every effort to restore the economic life of the country, ruined first by the war between the capitalists over the Dardanelles and the colonies, and then by the war of the capitalists of the Entente and Russia against the workers of Russia, we are, among other things, now working out, with the aid of a number of scientists and technicians, a plan for the electrification of the whole of Russia. This plan is designed for many years. Electrification will transform Russia. Electrification on the basis of the Soviet system will create the final victory of the foundations of communism in our country, the foundations of a cultured life without exploiters, without capitalists, without landlords, without merchants.

The lifting of the blockade should help to carry out the electrification plan.

2) “The Effect of the Allies’ Decision to Refrain from an Offensive on the Offensive Operations of the Soviet Government?”

The Entente and its allies and servants—Kolchak, Denikin, the capitalists of the states surrounding us—were on the offensive against us. We did not attack anyone. We concluded peace with Estonia, even making material sacrifices.

We are impatiently waiting for the “decision” of the Allies to be confirmed by their deeds. Unfortunately, the history of the Versailles Peace and its consequences shows that with the Allies words are mostly at variance with deeds, and decisions remain on paper.

3) “Do We Consider the Present Status Quo Satisfactory for Soviet Policy?”

Yes, for every status quo in politics is a transition from the old to the new. The present status quo is, in many respects, a transition from war to peace. Such a transition is desirable for us. Therefore, and to that extent, we consider the status quo satisfactory.

4) “Our Aims in Connection with the Cessation of Hostilities by the Allies?”

Our aims, as already stated, are peaceful economic construction. A detailed plan for this, based on electrification, is now being worked out by a commission of scientists and technicians (or rather, by several commissions) in accordance with the resolution of the February (1920) session of the All-Russia Central Executive Committee.