MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiled a monument to the Russian Tsar Alexander I, the piece of a renowned sculptor Salavat Shcherbakov, at the Moscow Kremlin Borovitsky Gate, in Alexander Gardens, on Thursday.
Putin pointed out that Alexander I played a considerable role in uniting Russians and in defending steadfastly the country’s independence.
“Alexander I entered the history as Napoleon’s conqueror, as a forward-looking strategist and diplomat, as a statesman who shouldered responsibility for the security development of Europe and the whole world,” Putin said.
“It was the Russian Emperor who was a father of the then system of European and international security, which was quite adequate to the times,” he said adding that then a balance was set up on the basis of mutual respect for countries’ interests as well as of moral values.
The Russian president recalled Russia’s stance towards France’s sovereignty at the time.
“It is worth mentioning how respectfully and noble-minded Russia - the winner country - treated France’s sovereignty and national dignity of the French,” Putin said.
Along with this, he underscored the emperor’s role in Russia’s renovation and consolidation.
“That time saw lots of governmental and legal reforms to be carried out, Russia’s first expedition to sail around the world, new five universities to be open, Russia’s olden capital Moscow rebuilt after (Napoleon’s - TASS) invasion and the fire, and the Manezh and Kremlin Armoury to be built along with the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour,” he said.