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Russia Today
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Russia is a nation of winners
President Vladimir Putin has described Russia as a nation of winners, praising the country's role in the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The Russian leader made the remarks on Wednesday at the educational marathon in Moscow, held ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in 1945. Putin emphasized the sacrifices made by all Soviet republics during the war, with a particular focus on Russia's contribution. 'For victory, no one spared themselves,' he said. 'Russia, due to its scale, of course made the greatest contribution to this victory. It gave the most – its sons and daughters who died defending the motherland and our common future.' Putin added that nations defeated in the war are now trying to lecture Russia and 'distort the truth.' However, he insisted that Russia is 'without a doubt, a nation of winners' and continues to stand its ground. 'When I say 'nation', I mean all the peoples, all the ethnic groups of the former Soviet Union, and of course, of Russia,' Putin said. Moscow views the victory over Nazi Germany as a profound symbol of national resilience, as the USSR lost an estimated 26.6 million lives during the war. For this year's commemoration, the Russian government has extended multiple invitations, including to the leaders of China, India, and Brazil, as well as numerous other international leaders. Russia will celebrate the anniversary of the Soviet Union's defeat of fascism and hold its annual Victory Day parade on Red Square on May 9. More than 20 foreign leaders are expected to attend, including Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned the leaders of the bloc's candidate countries against attending Russia's celebrations. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned Kallas' comments as tantamount to a revival of Nazism.
Russia Today
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Putin discusses French squadron fighting for Russia, WWII victory and ties with EU (KEY QUOTES)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered a lengthy speech at the educational marathon in Moscow on Wednesday, offering blunt assessments on historical memory, current military operations, and geopolitical tensions. He said that Russia made the greatest contribution to victory in World War II, predicted a future thaw in relations with Europe, revealed that French citizens are fighting for Russia in Ukraine, and commented on the military situation in Kursk Region. Here are the key take aways from his remarks: Putin stated that French nationals are currently taking part in the Ukraine conflict on the Russian side, referencing a historical WWII unit, the 'Normandie-Niemen' squadron, composed of French pilots who fought alongside the Soviet Air Force. He did not provide figures or further details. 'There have always been people in France who share Russia's values. Such people still exist today.' 'Some citizens of the French Republic are fighting shoulder to shoulder with our soldiers in the area of the special military operation. They named their unit as their grandfathers and great-grandfathers did – 'Normandie-Niemen'.' The Russian president expressed confidence that the strained ties between Russia and European countries would eventually be repaired. 'Sooner or later, relations between Russia and Europe will be restored. This is beyond doubt.' Putin pointed out that support for Russia's stance exists across Europe, though often unspoken due to social or political pressure. He suggested that only a few individuals dare to express this alignment publicly. 'In Europe, there are many people who share our position. Some remain silent; few have the audacity to voice their opinion.'Putin emphasized the sacrifices made by the all republics of the Soviet Union, particularly Russia, which was a part of the USSR back then, in securing victory in the Second World War. 'The Russian Federation, due to its scale, of course made the greatest contribution to this victory. It gave the most – its sons and daughters who died defending the motherland and our common future.' 'For victory, no one spared themselves.' Putin described the Ukrainian forces in the area as fragmented and cut off, hiding in 'holes' and 'basements' with no way to retreat. He said Russia had cleared most of the region but that remnants of the opposing side were being offered a chance to surrender. 'Yes, we drove [the Ukrainian Armed Forces] out of the Kursk Region,' Putin said. 'They're still sitting in cracks and basements somewhere.' He added that evacuation was impossible due to the dispersed nature of these units, despite Ukrainian appeals. Putin also supported the idea of creating a memorial in the region to honor Russian volunteers who participated in the fighting.
