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Press release on celebrations of the 78th anniversary of the Great Victory at the Foreign Ministry of Russia

5 May 2023 20:28
876-05-05-2023

On May 5, the Foreign Ministry hosted a number of commemorative events devoted to the 78th anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War.

According to the established tradition, baskets with flowers were laid near the memorial plaques at the ministry's central building. The plaques bear the names of employees who lost their lives during the war and while performing their official duties, and who fell victim to political reprisals. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Council of Veterans, the Association of Russian Diplomats, the Council of Young Diplomats, and Foreign Ministry staff, including from its various departments. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and Chairman of the Council of Veterans Valery Morozov addressed those present with welcome remarks from the ministry's leadership. They highlighted the contribution of the ministry's employees to the common victory and the importance of countering attempts to falsify the historical truth about World War II.

Accompanied by the ministry's employees, representatives from the Council of Veterans laid a wreath and flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin wall. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin attended the ceremony.

After a three year break, the ministry's assembly hall hosted a grand meeting at which Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov gave a speech on behalf of the ministry's leadership. He emphasised that owing to the courage and valour of Red Army soldiers and the selfless labour of home front workers, our country crushed Hitler's war machine and saved humanity from Nazi insanity.

"We look to the achievements of the soldiers-liberators in our current struggle for truth and justice, for a free future, and against Western attempts to weaken Russia as much as possible and inflict a strategic defeat on us," he said. He emphasised the efforts of veterans to preserve the best traditions of Smolensky Square and pass on their priceless professional experience to the young diplomats.