Earlier today, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at Red Square in Moscow during a ceremony celebrating the 79th anniversary of Russia’s victory over Nazi Germany in WWII.

During his speech, Putin claimed Russia is trying to avoid global conflict while maintaining a strong national defense: “Russia will do everything to prevent a global conflict, but at the same time we will not allow anyone to threaten us.” Putin stated the West does not remember the lessons learned during the Second World War: “The West would like to forget the lessons of World War Two…. But we remember that the fate of mankind was decided in the grand battles near Moscow and Leningrad, Rzhev, Stalingrad, Kursk and Kharkiv, near Minsk, Smolensk and Kyiv, in heavy, bloody battles from Murmansk to the Caucasus and Crimea.”

Putin stated the significance of Victory Day for all of the allied nations, stating, “May 9 is always a very emotional, poignant day…. Victory Day unites all generations. We are moving forward based on our centuries-old traditions and are confident that together we will ensure a free, safe future for Russia.”