MOSCOW, April 10. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin is convinced that centuries-long traditions of good neighborly relations and mutual help will continue to unite Russian and Ukrainian peoples. The president has congratulated Ukraine’s Odessa residents and veterans of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 on the 70th anniversary of liberation of this city from Nazi occupation, according to the Kremlin press service.

“In a congratulatory address, the president noted that in the battles for Odessa and southern Ukraine, representatives of different nationalities protecting the homeland from the enemy were fighting shoulder to shoulder and the feat of Soviet soldiers and officers, heroes of the resistance movement and rear workers will always be an example of selfless valor and heroism,” the press service reported.

“The Russian president said with confidence that centuries-long traditions of good neighborly relations and mutual help will continue to unite Russian and Ukrainian peoples, noting that our common duty is to keep carefully the memory about the past war, curb any attempts to rewrite the history, raise the young generation with high ideals of patriotism and pride for the Great Victory,” the Kremlin press service said.

Putin voiced deep gratitude to veterans of the Great Patriotic War, wished them health and long years of life and wished all Ukrainian citizens peace and prosperity.