Explanation
The losses of Germany on the eastern front are widely believed to be the most significant factor in defeating Nazi Germany and the USSR won the battle of Berlin, the final battle before the German capitulation. Thus Europe widely believed (for a good reason) that the USSR was the main contributor in defeating Germany. With the cold war the perception of the USSR became a lot worse in western countries like France and with increasing anti-USSR sentiment the view flipped to viewing the USA as the deciding factor. The USSR (and the Russian Federation today, even if its government is very anti USSR) viewed itself as the most important force in defeating Germany, especially because the USSR had the biggest amount of deaths. It is worth noting that the USSR was at least commercially allied with Nazi Germany until June 22, 1941 and there was an agreement between the nations on which parts of Europe each could invade and which where reserved for the other.
I would not say depended but a good help indeed.
Weird. Normally when you lose 2/3 of your cropland and your people rely on foreign imports do not starve to death that's called a dependence.
not 2/3rd but ~60% not to mention soviets themselves expanded their cultivation siberia to reduce affect of nazi annexation. Not to mention majority of "lend lease", including food shipments arrived after decisive battle of stalingrad. USSR wouldve prevailed it just wouldve taken longer, thats it.