Foreign and Military Affairs
Russia marks day of Nazi surrender
By Sun Shangwu and Ai Yang (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-10 07:23
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Moscow - Russia staged what were, arguably, the country's most spectacular celebrations on Sunday to mark the 65th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin were joined by leaders from more than 20 countries, including China, to watch the grand parade through Red Square that was the centerpiece of the weekend celebrations.
"I congratulate you on the day of great victory," Medvedev said in an address to the guests and thousands of servicemen assembled in the iconic square.
"This war made us a strong nation... In 1945 not only a military victory, but also a great moral victory was achieved."
Over 200 veterans from 24 foreign countries also arrived in Moscow for the occasion, with Belarus and Ukraine sending the largest delegations of veterans. US, British, Polish and French troops took part in the parade for the first time.
Simultaneous celebrations occurred in dozens of other Russian cities, plus Brest in Belarus and Sebastopol in Ukraine.
Strategic, ceremonious
Xing Guangcheng, an expert on Russian studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the event was strategic as well as ceremonious.
"Russia hopes the celebration will help to re-establish its international image, because it has recently faced some difficult problems, including the economic recession and its political tensions with the West and the US in particular," Xing said.
"Although since Obama took office the Russian-US relationship has improved, there has not been much progress. Russia also wants to improve its relations with former Soviet Union nations by bonding with them more on this occasion," he said, adding that the idea of a grand anniversary is very meaningful.
"As well as proving the nation's soft power and encouraging its citizens, Moscow also wants to reiterate the significant role it has played in battling against fascism during World War II," said Xing.
China Daily
