Putin speech at Victory Day parade: Key takeaways
Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised the sacrifices of the Soviet people in defeating Nazism, during the annual military parade in Moscow.
This year's event marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
During the address, the president highlighted the significance of the event, vowing that Russia will 'faithfully preserve the memory' of the 'glorious' victory over the Nazis. He noted that, as heirs of the victors, Russians celebrate Victory Day as their 'most important holiday.'
Here are the key takeaways from Putin's speech.
The president stressed that Russia has always fought against Nazism, Russophobia, and anti-Semitism, and will continue to do so no matter what.
'Russia… will stand in the way of the violence perpetrated by the champions of these aggressive and destructive ideas. Truth and justice are on our side,' he stated, noting that the entire country supports the troops taking part in the military operation against the Kiev regime, which Moscow has long accused of adhering to Nazi ideology.
Putin said Russia remembers the lessons of World War II and will not allow the atrocities committed during those years to be repeated.
'We remember the lessons of World War II and will never agree with the distortion of those events or attempts to justify the murderers and slander the true victors,' he stated.
The president vowed to uphold the values and principles that the Soviet people fought for during World War II.
'Our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers saved the Fatherland. And they bequeathed [defending it to us], to stay united and firmly defend our national interests, our thousand-year history, culture, and traditional values – everything that is dear to us, that is sacred to us,' Putin said.
'We will always rely on our unity in battle and in peaceful endeavors, in striving for strategic goals and tackling problems for the benefit of Russia and its greatness and prosperity.'Putin credited the European front with 'hastening victory' during World War II and said that Russia 'highly appreciates' the contribution of the soldiers of the allied armies. He noted, however, that the most 'decisive' battles of the war were fought in the Soviet Union.
'The Soviet Union bore the brunt of the enemy's most savage and relentless assaults,' the president said, adding that it was the Soviet people who 'determined the outcome' of World War II through 'decisive victories in major battles.'
The president pledged to cherish the tradition of Victory Day and honor the veterans who fought or helped fight the Nazis.
'We will continue to look up to our veterans, taking [an] example from their wholehearted love of the Motherland and commitment to defending our homeland and the values of humanism and justice. We will give these traditions and this great heritage the biggest place in our hearts and will pass them on to future generations,' Putin stated.
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