Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent congratulatory messages to the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, as well as to the peoples of Georgia and Moldova, on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, as reported by the Kremlin press service.
This marks the second consecutive year where Ukraine is not mentioned in the text, whereas in previous years, Putin extended congratulations to the people of Ukraine.
In his messages, Putin underscored Russia's enduring gratitude and respect for all those who bravely fought on the frontlines and tirelessly contributed on the home front, inching closer to Victory amid colossal sacrifices and hardships.
"It is our moral obligation today to preserve and pass on to younger generations the memory of the events of those challenging years. Together, we must firmly oppose any efforts to distort or falsify history, rewrite the outcome of the Great Patriotic War, or justify the abhorrent atrocities committed by the Nazis and their collaborators," emphasized the Russian head of state, as quoted by the press service.
Putin expressed confidence in the enduring significance of the fraternal bonds and mutual support forged during the war years, emphasizing their crucial role in fostering constructive and amicable relations among post-Soviet countries and peoples.
The Russian leader conveyed heartfelt gratitude to all veterans of the Great Patriotic War and home front workers, extending wishes for health, well-being, vitality, and longevity.
Furthermore, Putin called for united efforts to combat any attempts aimed at distorting or erasing the shared history of the former Soviet Union countries, which collectively vanquished Nazism.
"It is imperative to thwart any endeavors to distort or erase our shared history. Moreover, we must cherish and transmit to future generations the proud traditions of camaraderie and mutual support, which enabled our fathers and grandfathers to bravely withstand the trials of war and crush Nazism," affirmed the Russian leader.
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Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS