"Double standards vis-a-vis terrorists are just as inadmissible as attempts to exonerate Nazi loyalists. We may not turn a blind eye to such things," Putin said opening a 60th V-E anniversary gala at Moscow's Bolshoi Theater. Experiences of the WWII era remain relevant to this day, he said. By learning its WWII lessons, the global community will be able to more effectively counter the threat of terrorism, which, just like Nazism, brings violence, death, and humiliation.
Modern society may not overlook manifestations of extremism, violence and xenophobia, as "this would insult our historical memory," President Putin pointed out. "More importantly, this may lead to new tragedies. And this is why we must fight together against such threats, [trying to overcome them] with the force of our unity, with our shared striving to prevent the horrors of the past war from ever repeating themselves," he said.
The Russian leader reminded his audience that at the suggestion of Russia and other CIS member states, the UN had designated May 8 and 9 as Remembrance and Reconciliation Days. "I am sure that [WWII] veterans, who know better than anyone else what war is really like, welcome that," Putin said, adding that the initiative had been discussed at the CIS summit meeting in Moscow earlier today.
The Eurasian nations that are part of the CIS may be divided by state borders, but their friendship and their fraternal bonds transcend those borders. They have common historical and cultural heritage, and their shared moral values help them to effectively deal with problems they face, the Russian President pointed out.
