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70th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany

Russian, German foreign ministers lay wreaths to WWII memorial near Volgograd

ROSSOSHKI VILLAGE /Volgograd Region/, May 7. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier laid wreaths of red and white roses on Thursday to the World War II memorial near the city of Volgograd.

The memorial to the Soviet soldiers is located in the village of Rossoshki, some 60 kilometers (over 37 miles) away from Volgograd. Mass burial sites of German soldiers killed in WWII battles near Volgograd are also located in Rossoshki.

Volgograd, formerly known as Staligrad, is a city of over a one million population stretching alongside the Volga River. The city and the surrounding areas were the scene of the heaviest battles of World War II and the Battle of Stalingrad is considered to be the turning point in the war.

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Germany's Steinmeier says visit to Volgograd may help Russia, West overcome differences

Public diplomacy center

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has supported Volgograd regional Governor Andrey Bocharov’s initiative to set up a center of public diplomacy.

"It is my first visit to Volgograd," Lavrov said after a meeting with Bocharov. "I entirely support your initiative on creation of a center of public diplomacy."

The Russian southern city of Volgograd and Great Britain’s Coventry became the first twin cities in the Soviet Union’s post-war history, the Russian minister said.

"Seventy years have passed," Lavrov said. "Volgograd residents have laid down a basis for a new international movement of twin cities so I am all for it and will actively support you."

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Foreign policy 70th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany

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