Putin calls Merkel, UK PM Johnson over Victory Day

Monitoring Desk

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday spoke on the phone to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The two leaders stressed that for Russia and Germany this date carries particular importance, and vowed to preserve the historical memory of the tragic events of those years to avoid any recurrence, the Kremlin said in a statement posted on its website.

Putin and Merkel called Russia and Germany “partners in resolving many international problems” and confirmed their intention to further build constructive relations.

Turning to the coronavirus pandemic, both leaders expressed the intention to continue the already established close cooperation in countering the virus’ spread.

In a separate phone conversation with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Putin thanked Great Britain for its contribution in the victory over the Nazi Germany.

In turn, Boris Johnson expressed gratitude on behalf of the British people for the decisive contribution of the Soviet Union and its armed forces in achieving victory over the common enemy.

“The military community of those years reminds of the importance of consolidating efforts to counter modern challenges and threats, one of which is the coronavirus pandemic,” Johnson said.

Yesterday Putin congratulated the presidents of other two countries, both allies in World War II, the US’ Donald Trump and France’s Emmanuel Macron.

Putin also sent congratulatory messages for Victory in Europe Day to a number of world leaders.

He conveyed good wishes to the presidents of former nine Soviet republics and to “the people” of Ukraine and Georgia, which once were part of the former Soviet Union but currently have tense relations with Moscow.

He also sent greetings to the leaders and people of Great Britain, the US, and France, Russia’s allies in World War II.

“The Great Victory was a pivotal event of the 20th century with enduring significance for the fate of all humankind. It was achieved thanks to the joint efforts of the Soviet Union and countries of the anti-Hitler coalition. That invaluable experience is no less needed today,” Putin said in a telegram to Johnson.

In a message to Trump, he said: “The decades since WWII have brought new threats – from terrorism and regional conflicts to large-scale natural disasters, man-made catastrophes, and epidemics. Russia and the United States are now at the forefront of the response to global challenges. Following the traditions of cooperation established in wartime and acting in the ‘spirit of the Elbe,’ our countries could do a great deal for the sake of international security and stability.”

Putin told French President Emmanuel Macron that “the heroism of the Normandy-Neman Flight Regiment pilots, who fought at the Soviet-German front, will be forever in the hearts of Russians,” mentioning how “thousands of Soviet patriots who joined the French Resistance also made a considerable contribution to Victory.”

In Russia, Victory Day is a holiday commemorating the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945. It was announced following the signing of the German act of capitulation late in the evening of May 8, 1945 in Berlin, when it was already time after midnight, thus May 9 in Moscow. The Soviet government declared victory early on May 9, 1945 after the signing ceremony in Berlin. (AA)