President Vladimir Putin’s Address at the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War: A Call for Global Unity and Respect for History
Victory over Nazism, to honour the memory of the heroes who saved humanity
President Vladimir Putin’s Address at the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War: A Call for Global Unity and Respect for History
Moscow, Russia – A powerful message of remembrance, unity, and global responsibility echoed from the heart of Moscow as President Vladimir Putin delivered a heartfelt speech during a dinner held on behalf of the President of Russia. The dinner was organized in honor of heads of international delegations and distinguished guests who had arrived to participate in the commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945.
In his opening, President Putin extended a warm welcome to the guests, acknowledging their solidarity and presence at such a historically significant occasion.
Putin: “Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends!
First of all, I warmly welcome and thank you – our reliable friends and partners. You came to Moscow to share with us the joy of the Victory over Nazism, to honour the memory of the heroes who saved humanity.”
The tone of the address was one of solemn reverence and unshakable pride in the sacrifices made by the Soviet Union and its allies during World War II. Putin emphasized that May 9 remains a sacred day for the people of Russia, a day deeply rooted in the historical consciousness of the nation and its multicultural identity.
“May 9 is a sacred date for our multinational people. The Soviet Union played a decisive role in defeating Nazism. This is the historical truth that no one will be able to silence, deceive, or take away,” President Putin declared, reinforcing the importance of protecting historical truth amidst growing global attempts to revise or obscure the real events of World War II.
The Russian leader paid tribute to the forefathers of the Russian people — fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers — whose acts of bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism turned the tide of history.
“Our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers have achieved a feat whose greatness will never fade. They went to a mortal battle for their country, for their home, for the right to self-determine their destiny, to speak, to think in their native language, to raise children in their culture and traditions,” he said with conviction.
President Putin also took the opportunity to honor the role of international allies in the collective victory over Nazism. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts made by nations across continents and the immense value of solidarity and cooperation.
“We will not forget our allies and comrades in the sacred struggle, that the Victory was led by the joint efforts of the peoples of Europe, the United States, Africa, Latin America, the Asia-Pacific Region, the unity, will and courage of the soldiers and officers of the anti-Hitler coalition, resistance fighters and members of national liberation movements, partisans and poles,” he reminded the audience.
Putin described the victory of May 1945 not only as the end of a devastating war but also as the beginning of a new chapter in global diplomacy and security — marked most notably by the founding of the United Nations. This, he emphasized, was a legacy of the victorious generation and a responsibility for the leaders of today to uphold.
“May 1945 opened the way to a new architecture of global security, to the creation of a key international institute – the United Nations. It is our duty to the winning generation to fully utilize its public potential,” he urged.
Reaffirming Russia’s commitment to multilateralism and international law, President Putin stressed the growing relevance of the United Nations in today’s increasingly polarised global environment.
“I will say it again: today, in the process of a more just world order, the demand and importance of the UN are increasing again. It is important to further strengthen its central, coordinating role in world affairs, to ensure clear adherence to the fundamental norms and principles of international law enshrined in the UN Constitution in all their completeness, cohesive and interconnectedness.”
He closed his remarks by drawing a connection between the legacy of WWII and modern-day geopolitical discourse, highlighting the recent Kazan BRICS summit as a continuation of efforts to promote peace, justice, and multilateral dialogue.
“This, in particular, was discussed at last year’s Kazan BRICS summit, in which many heads of delegations present here participated.”
The dinner and Putin’s speech served not only as a solemn tribute to history but also as a reminder of the continuing relevance of unity, courage, and respect for international cooperation. As the world faces modern challenges, President Putin’s message emphasized that the lessons of the past must be carried forward with integrity and shared responsibility.
