Quotes
The Soviet Union took upon itself the most ferocious, merciless blows of the enemy,
Putin said in an address ahead of the parade
I’m sure that this tribunal will allow for the fight against impunity against all war crimes that have been committed during this war of aggression of Russia against Ukraine,
said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot
It’s again showing that Russia is not isolated, that Russia is seen as a very legitimate victorious nation that is among victors in World War II,
said Alexander Gabuev, director of Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
Russia needs to feel our common and, most importantly, growing strength,
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, addressing the Lviv meetingThe battlefield in Ukraine is the place where military confrontation is evolving more rapidly than anywhere in the world,
said Mr Giles
The conclusion was that they were being held back for Russia’s next attack against a neighbour, potentially a Nato member state, ... But of course, that reserve of presentable vehicles also allows Russia to indulge in vanity projects like its May 9 parade.”
said Mr Giles, addingThe Russian people are the most tenacious people in the world,
said Mr. Ponomarenko, 99, who fought all the way to Berlin and shortly after Germany’s capitulation served as a bodyguard during the Potsdam Conference talks between Allied leaders
Not the whole world came, of course,
said Sergey Mazaev, the dapper frontman of the prominent 1990s Russian rock jazz band Moral CodexI am very happy that we are Russia now, because we speak Russian, we are Russian,
he said about his hometown, as a tear formed in his eyeI hope a nuclear bomb falls on Red Square,
one said ... another suggested
I think that we should definitely remember those who died during the Second World War and keep memories of previous generations alive. It’s very important,
she saidTherefore, the presence at the Victory Day parade in a country that bombs cities, hospitals and kindergartens, and that has caused over a million people to be killed or wounded over the last three years, is a disgrace,
the Polish prime minister emphasised
Without that victory 80 years ago, we wouldn’t be here today. I know China also suffered immense losses in that war, and I would very much like to visit China to participate in the events marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression,
Ilya told the Global Times
Participating in this celebration showcases the Chinese military's image and conveys our nation's aspiration for peace and commitment to safeguarding it,
said Zhang Dingxin, Commander of the PLA Honor GuardWe highly appreciate the contribution made to our common struggle by the Allied armies, members of the Resistance, the courageous people of China, and all those who fought for a peaceful future,
said the Russian presidentWe represent our country's image and fulfill the sacred mission of safeguarding peace. As our nation grows stronger, Chinese soldiers are ever more confident and capable of contributing to global peace and development,
Wang Zihe, a member of the honor guard, told the Global TimesHistory shows that hegemonism and power politics lead to conflicts and wars, causing immense trauma and tragedy for all humanity. To avoid such tragedies, a profound understanding and grasp of historical lessons is essential,
Li saidFor common people, this is the way to remember their relatives, who managed to deal with the unbearable, for modern people, burden of war, millions of deaths, destruction of economy and crimes against humanity… For professionals, whether it will be scholars or politicians, this is a reminder of what humanity can do to harm itself without mutual trust, respect, dialogue and strong international institutions,
said Maksim Vilisov, Leading Research Fellow at the Institute of Scientific Information for Social Sciences of the Russian Academy of SciencesVictory Day is a solemn and moving moment for me,
Ilya told the Global Times
We must draw wisdom and strength from the great victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, and resolutely resist all forms of hegemonism and power politics,
reads Xi's signed article, ... per Xinhua