Click to see full-size image. (TASS)
Addressing the annual Victory Day parade on Red Square in Moscow on May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that his soldiers in Ukraine were fighting an “aggressive force” backed by all of NATO, and that the Russian army’s cause was “just.”
Putin opened up his address on the 81st anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany by honoring the heroism of Soviet people, and pointing out the colossal losses they suffered to free not just their fatherland, but entire Europe.
“We will always remember the heroism of the Soviet people and the fact that it was their decisive contribution that made the defeat of Nazism possible. They saved their country and the entire world, put an end to total and merciless evil, and restored sovereignty to the nations that had capitulated to Nazi Germany and become obedient accomplices to its crimes,” Putin said.
“Our soldiers suffered colossal losses and made enormous sacrifices in the name of the freedom and dignity of the peoples of Europe. They became the embodiment of courage and nobility, fortitude and humanity, and crowned themselves with the great glory of a monumental Victory,” he added.
The Russian President went on remind that the Nazis assembled forces from across Europe in an attempt to “annihilate, enslave and commit genocide against the entire multinational Soviet people.”
“Nazi strategists seemed to have meticulously accounted for everything. Everything, except for one thing – what is known as the Russian character and the strength of spirit of the Soviet people,” he noted.
Reflecting on the ongoing special military operation in Ukraine, Putin stressed that Russian soldiers are now also fighting “aggressive forces.”
“The great feat of the victorious generation inspires the soldiers carrying out the tasks of the special military operation today. They are confronting an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc. Despite this, our heroes are advancing,” he said, noting that not just soldiers, but also workers, designers, engineers, scientists and inventors are involved in the ongoing operation.
Putin added that Russia’s key to success is “moral strength, courage and valour,” in addition to the unity of its people and their ability to “withstand everything and overcome all challenges.”
“We have a common goal. Everyone makes a personal contribution to Victory. It is forged both on the battlefield and in the rear,” the Russian President said.
“I firmly believe that our cause is just! We are together! Victory has always been and will always be ours!” he added.
Foreign leaders attending the parade in Moscow this year included Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
During the reception, Putin warned that the falsification of World War II history must be firmly suppressed, and any attempts to glorify Nazis are unacceptable.
“It is important to firmly counter attempts to falsify the events of the Second World War and to glorify Nazis and collaborators. They bear responsibility for the unbearable suffering and deaths of millions of civilians,” the Russian president said.
“It is our duty to prevent any justification of the genocide of Soviet citizens and other atrocities committed by Nazi criminals. These crimes were unequivocally condemned by the verdict of the Nuremberg Tribunal and have no statute of limitations,” he added.
Warning of “blind belief in one’s own superiority, racism, xenophobia, and the denial of other peoples’ right to identity,” Putin said that the multipolar world order taking shape today must rest on the norms of the Charter of the United Nations in their entirety and fullness.”
In general, Putin’s speech highlighted the similarities of the threats Russia faced in the past, and is facing today, drawing on the lessons from history victory against the Nazis to explain how the country views the ongoing special military operation in Ukraine.
Putin lays out a doctrine focused on achieving a decisive victory, one that addresses the root causes of current threats. It aims to achieve long term stability, not just for Russia, but for the entirety of Europe.
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