 In 1918 , Molotov was sent to Ukraine to take part in the civil war then breaking out . Since he was not a military man , he took no part in the fighting . In 1920 , he became secretary to the Central Committee of the Ukrainian Bolshevik Party . Lenin recalled him to Moscow in 1921 , elevating him to full membership of the Central Committee and Orgburo , and putting him in charge of the party secretariat . He was voted in as a non @-@ voting member of the Politburo in 1921 , and held the office of Responsible Secretary and also married Soviet politician Polina Zhemchuzhina . His Responsible Secretaryship was criticised both by Lenin and Leon Trotsky , with Lenin noting his " shameful bureaucratism " and stupid behaviour . On the advice of Molotov and Nikolai Bukharin the Central Committee decided to reduce Lenin 's work hours . In 1922 , Stalin became general secretary of the Bolshevik Party with Molotov as the de facto Second Secretary . As a young follower Molotov admired Stalin , but was open in criticism of him . Under Stalin 's patronage , Molotov became a member of the Politburo in 1926 . 
