Vladimir Putin said Moscow and its allied capitals are continuing consultations to give Victory Day “significant international status,” during a meeting of Russia’s Security Council on Friday.
Putin stated that efforts are underway to ensure that the “true heroes” of the Second World War are not forgotten and to preserve what he described as the historical truth about the sacrifices made by the Soviet Union and the Russian people in defeating Nazism.
The meeting was attended by senior Russian officials, including Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Chair Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Viacheslav Volodin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.Victory Day is commemorated annually on May 9 in Russia and several other former Soviet states.
This year marks the 81st anniversary of the end of the Second World War, with the main celebrations centered around the military parade in Moscow.Russia also announced a ceasefire with Ukraine from May 8 to May 10. Meanwhile, the Russian Defence Ministry warned of a “massive retaliatory missile strike on central Kiev” if any attempts are made to disrupt the Victory Day celebrations.
