MOSCOW, May 9 (Itar-Tass) — President Vladimir Putin praised the moral achievements of World War II veterans in his speech at the traditional Victory Day parade on Moscow’s Red Square.
“You went through the ordeals of the war in the ranks united by the spirit of fraternity,” he said. “Together you withstood the torments and pains, which seemed to be way above human capabilities, and still you didn’t surrender and became the true creators of victory.”
Putin said the veterans drew their strength from Russia’s glorious military traditions and the genuine values that always came to limelight in the years of tragic trial tests.
“You proved with your exploits just one more time that victories can be achieved not only with the aid of weaponry but also with the power of human spirit, concord and faith,” he said.
“The Great Patriotic War /World War II combat operations on the Soviet front from June 1941 through to May 1945 – Itar-Tass/ is history now but your courage and ability to love and defend your homeland will never recede into the past and will remain the hallmarks of morals, patriotism and sense of civic duty in the eyes of younger generations,” Putin said.
“We’ll always be committed to your deeds,” he said. “This means we have a future and we’ll do everything in our power to make it peaceful.”