President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev: Dear citizens of Russia,
Dear veterans of the Great Patriotic War,
Comrade soldiers, sailors and sergeants,
Comrade officers, generals and admirals,
I congratulate you on the Victory Day, on the holiday that has been passed down from generation to generation, an occasion that our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will one day celebrate as we do today.
Dear veterans, your spiritual strength and devotion to the Motherland helped you to prevail on the long and difficult path to Victory. You changed the course of world history. You gave the gift of life and liberty to future generations. And none of our current problems will prevent us from fulfilling our moral obligations to you. Providing our veterans with a dignified life is one of the major concerns of our society.
In exactly one year we will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Great Victory. The Commonwealth of Independent States and other nations will celebrate this Day of Liberation with us. The victory over Nazism is a great example and a great lesson for all peoples. It is a lesson that is still relevant today, when once again there are those who are interested in embarking on military adventures.
Now more than ever it is obvious that a safer world is only possible if the rules of international law are strictly adhered to. That is why our country has suggested a new European Security Treaty. This security must be based on strict arms control and sensible levels of military preparedness, the broadest possible cooperation between states and an absolute commitment to the peaceful settlement of conflicts. We will resolutely do everything in our power to live up to these principles.
Dear friends,
Six post-war decades have utterly transformed the entire world and our nation as well. Yet many Russian families still have pictures from the frontlines and military awards, and they still keep safe and reread letters from the front.
Thanks to the work of researchers, even today we are still learning the names of our fallen heroes. Their high deeds will never be forgotten. And we have started a new tradition in our own era, the St George Ribbon campaign.
We are all deeply indebted to those who died in the war. We will never forget the terrible battles of Moscow and Stalingrad, the 900-day Leningrad Blockade, the Battle of the Kursk Bulge and the heavy fighting for the liberation of Europe. We will not forget the exploits of the resistance fighters and the militias or the dedication of those who worked behind the lines.
We all have a lot to learn from this great trial. It has taught us to fight to the end. It has taught us strength in the face of difficulty. It has taught us to shoulder our own responsibilities, those of our nation, those of our people.
Defending our Motherland is our sacred duty. This must serve as the moral foundation for every generation. And today the descendants of our war heroes are marching in this square and maintaining this tradition of Victory.
Among them are those who in actual battle have demonstrated the great fighting efficiency of the modern Russian army. We can thus be sure that any aggression against our people will be met with an adequate response, and the future of Russia will be peaceful, successful and happy.
Glory to the soldiers of the Great Patriotic War!
Glory to our victorious people!
Best wishes on this holiday, on Victory Day!