‘Holiday that unites nations & generations’: Diplomatic missions in US call for integrity on V-Day
The heads of the diplomatic missions of Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Turkmenistan in Washington have addressed other nations on the 72nd anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, calling on people to remember the lessons of the past to build relations "in our common future."
Every year on May 9th the peoples of our countries celebrate the Victory Day.
This holiday unites generations and our nations who 72 years ago overcame the ultimate evil of Nazism. That is a long time, but the peoples of our countries remember everything about that war: deprivation and hunger, bombing and destruction, and a fearful numbers of losses in human lives.
We have never set our victory apart from that of others, and we will always remember the help we received from our allies ‒ United States of America, United Kingdom, France, other states of anti-Hitler coalition and European anti-fascists.
Unfortunately, every year there are fewer Victory witnesses but we are happy that Soviet veterans, whom we should only thank and congratulate, can be found in America as well. On Elbe Day (i.e. April 25th) we compliment both – Soviet and American soldiers – whose comrades-in-arms met in Germany 72 years ago. This occasion has become one of the most significant landmarks in history of our peoples’ mutual relations.
History teaches that countries and peoples must try not to overlook how new lethal doctrines arise and how new threats emerge. War’s lessons admonish us that complicity in violence, apathy and waiting inevitably lead to dreadful tragedies on a global scale. For this reason, countries must forge relations that are not only held by our past lessons but that are also anchored in our common future.
We do not accept the purposeful attempts that have been made to rewrite history, to distort and revise the outcome of the Second World War. We consider inadmissible any attempts to glorify Nazism and militant nationalism. We believe that all countries should do everything within their power to counter manifestations of neo-fascism, chauvinism, hatred based on nationality or religion, and all forms of xenophobia.
We are glad that our new generations continue to keep the tradition and celebrate Victory Day.
Delighted we are as young people on a massive scale take part in the Immortal Regiments marching events carrying portraits of their relatives who participated in the War but not always came back. Such actions have also extended in the U.S. We are proud of our compatriots as well as those Americans who are engaged. Traditions are vivid and taking new forms.
Happy Victory Day! Happy Common Victory!
