Full text of Russian President's speech at Victory Day Parade

Below is the full text of the speech:

Dear citizens of Russia! Dear veterans!

Dear comrades soldiers and sailors, sergeants and foremen, warrant officers and warrant officers!

Dear comrade officers, generals and admirals!

Dear commanders and soldiers on the front lines - heroes of the special military campaign!

Congratulations to everyone on Victory Day! Happy our most important and sacred holiday!

On this holiday, we together pay tribute to our ancestors, the previous generations, who fought and sacrificed to protect our homeland and country, crush Nazism, and liberate the peoples of Europe.

Today, we are seeing how the truth about World War II has been distorted. That is to say, some people have become accustomed to building and maintaining their traditional colonial policy, based on hypocrisy and lies. They are trying to destroy the memorials to the fallen soldiers who fought against Nazism, instead glorifying the traitors and accomplices of the Nazis; they are even erasing the memory of the heroism and noble sacrifice of the liberators.

Revanchism or historical ridicule is just a sophistry of the Nazis, which to this day is part of the general policy of the Western elites, aimed at provoking various conflicts, ethnic and religious hostility in different parts of the world, and at the same time restraining the independent, sovereign centers of development.

We reject arbitrary declarations of any alliance, because we understand what consequences such ambitions can lead to. Russia will do everything possible to prevent a global conflict, but at the same time we will not allow anyone to threaten us. Russia's strategic forces are always on full combat readiness.

In the West, they want to forget the lessons of World War II, but let us remember that the fate of humanity was decided in fierce battles near Moscow and Leningrad, Rzhev, Stalingrad, Kursk and Kharkov, near Minsk, Smolensk and Kiev, or in bloody battles from Murmansk to the Caucasus and Crimea.

During the first three difficult and difficult years of the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet Union and all the republics of the former Soviet Union fought "one-on-one" with Nazi Germany. At the same time, I would like to emphasize: Russia has never underestimated the importance of the second front and the help of its allies. We are grateful and always honor the courage of all the soldiers of the anti-Hitler coalition, members of the Resistance, intelligence officers, and the courage of the Chinese people who fought for the independence of their nation against the Japanese fascist invasion.

And we will always remember, never, never forget our common struggle and our brave tradition of alliance!.

Dear friends and comrades!

Russia is currently going through a difficult transition period. The fate of the Motherland, the future of the country depends on each of us.

Today, on Victory Day, we realize this more deeply and clearly when looking at a victorious generation - with courage, nobility, knowing how to cherish friendship, steadfastly overcoming all adversities, always believing in themselves, loving the Fatherland and homeland sincerely and passionately.

We are celebrating Victory Day in the context of the ongoing special military operation. All those who took part in the operation – those who were on the front lines – are our heroes. We bow to the perseverance and selfless sacrifice of all of them. All of Russia is with you!

Our veterans believe in today's generation of soldiers. Your fighting ideals and achievements have been and are closely linked to the glorious achievements of generations of national heroes.

Today let us bow our heads and reflect on the losses of the Great Patriotic War, in memory of our sons, fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, brothers, sisters, and friends.

We bow our heads to the sacrifices of veterans of the Great Patriotic War; we express our sympathy and loss to civilians who suffered from barbaric shelling and neo-Nazi terrorist attacks.

And in memory of our comrades who fell in the fight against neo-fascism, in the just fight for Russia.

[A minute of silence...]

Dear veterans, comrades, and friends!

May 9th is always an emotional and meaningful day. Every family honors their heroes, looks at pictures, sees familiar faces, remembers their loved ones, and retells stories of how they fought.

We are gathered here on Victory Day to unite all generations. We are moving forward together, building on centuries-old traditions. And I am confident that together we will ensure a free, united and secure future for all peoples of Russia!

Glory to the brave armed forces! Glory to Russia! Glory to Victory! Hurray!