Putin: Russia is a Nation of Winners

By Staff, Agencies

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described his country as a nation of winners, praising the country’s role in the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

Putin emphasized the sacrifices made by all Soviet republics during the war, with a particular focus on Russia’s contribution.

“For victory, no one spared themselves,” he said. “Russia, due to its scale, of course made the greatest contribution to this victory. It gave the most – its sons and daughters who died defending the motherland and our common future.”

Putin added that nations defeated in the war are now trying to lecture Russia and “distort the truth.” However, he insisted that Russia is “without a doubt, a nation of winners” and continues to stand its ground.

“When I say ‘nation’, I mean all the peoples, all the ethnic groups of the former Soviet Union, and of course, of Russia,” Putin said.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned the leaders of the bloc’s candidate countries against attending Russia’s celebrations. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned Kallas’ comments as tantamount to a revival of Nazism.