 The events which led to Molotov 's downfall began in February 1956 when Khrushchev launched an unexpected denunciation of Stalin at the 20th Congress of the Communist Party . Khrushchev attacked Stalin both over the purges of the 1930s and the defeats of the early years of World War II , which he blamed on Stalin 's overly trusting attitude towards Hitler and the purges of the Red Army . Since Molotov was the most senior of Stalin 's collaborators still alive and had played a leading role in the purges , it became obvious that Khrushchev 's examination of the past would probably result in Molotov 's fall from power . Consequently , he became the leader of an old guard which tried to overthrow Khrushchev . 
