8 May 2020 13:21

Putin to Trump: Russia, U.S. can do a lot for int'l security

MOSCOW. May 8 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent greetings to his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump and said that Russia appreciates the contribution made by allies from the anti-Hitler coalition to the common victory and will never forget about Soviet-U.S. wartime comradeship, the Kremlin press service said in a statement.

"The decades since WWII have brought new threats - from terrorism and regional conflicts to large-scale natural disasters, man-made catastrophes and epidemics. Russia and the United States are now at the forefront of the response to global challenges. Following the traditions of cooperation established in war time and acting in the 'spirit of the Elbe', our countries could do a great deal for the sake of international security and stability," Putin said in his greetings.

In his message to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Putin said, "The Great Victory was a pivotal event of the 20th century with enduring significance for the fate of all humankind. It was achieved thanks to the joint efforts of the Soviet Union and the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition. That invaluable experience is no less needed today."

He expressed confidence that "the memory of our nations' brotherhood-in-arms would help develop constructive Russian-British dialogue and cooperation in the face of current threats and challenges."

In his message to French President Emmanuel Macron, Putin said, "The heroism of the Normandy-Neman Flight Regiment pilots, who fought at the Soviet-German front, will be forever in the hearts of Russians. Thousands of Soviet patriots who joined the French Resistance also made a considerable contribution to Victory." The Russian leader underscored the need for Russian-French cooperation now given the difficult international climate.