Russia marks 60th anniversary of end of WWII

cctv.com 05-09-2005 09:49

Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders of other former Soviet republics have acknowledged and paid homage to their war veterans for fighting their way to victory over the Nazis.

Sunday saw a get-together for the commemoration of the Allied victory in World War II. Many veterans wore medals, reflecting their contribution to the victory in the War. Some wore embroidered caps, while others wore tall sheepskin hats, indicating their ethnic origins.

Russia paid the heaviest price of any nation for Adolf Hitler's aggression, losing some 26 million soldiers and citizens.

In his address before a gala concert in the veterans' honor, Putin commented on the political and moral importance of Russia's role in the Second World War victory. The Russian President also made a pitch for unity against terrorism.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said, "The experience of the second World War is relevant today when mankind is facing a new challenge, this time from international terrorism. As with fascism, terrorism brings the world violence, death and the violation of human dignity. Double standards regarding terrorism are as unacceptable as attempts to rehabilitate Nazi collaborators."

More than 50 world leaders are expected to attend the VE Day commemoration today (Monday). These include the Chinese President, Hu Jintao, US President George W. Bush, the French President, Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, and the Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi.

Editor:Hu Hang  Source:CCTV.com