by Jerry Alatalo
n an ideal world where humanity had moved beyond ideological battles and worked together in oneness, leaders from every nation would have attended Victory Day in Moscow. This year’s event marked the 70th anniversary of the defeat of Nazism in World War II and the Russian people gathered in large numbers to remember the 27 million Russians who died in that war. One of the main reasons for this post is to help set the historical record straight regarding the Russian role in defeating fascism during World War II, in particular as regards misperceptions in America, where many hold the erroneous position that Russians played little or no part in the victory.
First of all, the writer does not wish to take “sides” on the issue of who deserves more credit for the victory over Nazi Germany, because there really are no sides when seen from the standpoint of oneness. The focus is on contributing toward a historically fact-based, truthful perception of the important events of World War II, the truth which if not widely understood results in confused, factually-weak, and harmful discussions about present day relations between the people and governments of the Russian Federation and the United States of America.
If one were to ask a number of Americans for their views on who was responsible for the defeat of Nazi Germany, perhaps 80-90% would respond by saying that the United States defeated Nazism and that Russians had little to do with the victory. Books have been published by scholars about the particular reasons why Americans have come to largely hold that incorrect historical view, but, leaving reasons aside, the historical truth is that Russians’ efforts and sacrifice had a more determinative effect in defeating Nazi Germany in World War II.
In discussing this issue many will come to the point of questioning what difference it makes when World War II ended 70 years ago. Many will want to end discussing the issue because they feel it is irrelevant to today and the state of international relations on Earth. Why it remains relevant, however, becomes illustrated by the fact that United States President Barack Obama and the leaders of other US-allied nations were absent from the Victory Day celebration in Moscow.
That fact goes back to the point made in the first sentence of this post: humanity has not overcome its ideological battles, and that means there is a distance to travel before more positive international relations circumstances become created which significantly reduce potential for outbreaks of war and violence. Ideology is a political or social philosophy most often associated with class. Through history ideological differences have been the single source of conflicts, wars and destruction – World Wars I and II the most glaring and destructive examples.
Humanity’s great challenge related to ongoing problems of violence directly associated with ideological differences remains seen around the Earth in places like Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and regions on the continent of Africa. Some have suggested that World War III is already being waged and in its early stages; that humanity must move swiftly and powerfully to prevent military escalation and a repeat of the horrific events of World War II. So, what preventive options are available and offer the best chance for eliminating the conditions which could lead to military escalation and another catastrophic, full-out world war?
Any human being who describes him or herself as rational believes dialogue and exchange of ideas is the clearly superior choice over military action, so a week-long World Peace Conference seems an obvious, ideal concept for discovering peaceful avenues to resolve differences between nations and people. Organizing and conducting such a conference, with speaking invitations to political, religious/spiritual, business and academic leaders from every nation and region on Earth, to use some clichés, are “plain as the nose on one’s face” and a “no-brainer” when it comes to the goal of war prevention and increasing the peace.
A global effort to stop what some observers see as World War III in its early stages is now necessary and urgent. A World Peace Conference would be an excellent beginning action, as true solutions will become identified and then available for implementing. Other possible steps humanity can consider for preventing escalation and outbreak of war include:
United Nations reform making it mandatory and binding for all member states to ratify the Rome Statute Treaty – agreeing to come under jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court
Establishing, in line with Albert Einstein’s idea of “the only promise of peace, supra-national security” – a global military force made up of men and women from every nation and region on Earth, stationed together around the world as peacekeepers – leading to the end of national militarys; the end of “us versus them”
Historic ideological divides responsible for all wars on Earth have not yet been overcome, and that reality remains a threat to international security and peace. The human race has taken positive steps through years, decades and centuries of developing increasingly effective self-restraining governing, legal and institutional intellectual concepts which, when consequently manifested in reality, have successfully minimized the chances for wars and violence to break out. There are absolutely no reasons to believe that humanity is finished with its evolution in this regard, and absolutely every reason to believe humanity is more than capable of taking the steps necessary to cross the ideological divide. To cross the bridge to real peace on Earth.
It is with that bridge to true peace on Earth in mind that the following events from Victory Day celebrated in Moscow are shared here. The intention is exposing the extent of ideological differences remaining on Earth, increasing awareness of what the threat to global peace and security irresolution of those differences means for humanity, and generating wider acknowledgement that overcoming those ideological differences is simultaneously of the highest importance and well within the ability of the human race.
Transcript of Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin’s speech – followed by the speech on video and scenes from “Immortal Regiment” walk in remembrance of those who died in World War II.
“Dear veterans, dear guests, soldiers and seamen, surgeons and petty officers, warrant officers and commissioned officers, generals and admirals. Today we mark the 70th anniversary of victory in the great patriotic war. Today, as we celebrate this date which is sacred to us, once again we realize how immense this victory over Nazism was, and we are proud that it was our fathers and grandfathers who defeated this dark force”.
“This was a terrible lesson for the international community, what happened in the 1930’s. The (people) in Europe did not immediately see the immense threat of Nazi ideology and today, 70 years later, history once again tells us to be vigilant. We shouldn’t forget that the ideal of race supremacy and exclusivity resulted in the bloodiest war, which involved 80% of the world’s population. Many European nations were occupied and the Soviet Union bore the brunt of enemy attacks”.
“The best Nazi troops were sent to Russia; their military might was concentrated here. Decisive battles of World War II took place here. It is no surprise that it was the Red Army that eventually besieged Berlin and put an end to this war with Germany. Our entire nation fought for the freedom of our land. Everybody contributed to this victory and together our people saved our homeland – and determined the outcome of World War II; liberated the nations of Europe from Nazism. No matter where veterans live today, they should know that here is Russia we will always remember what they did how valiantly they fought in this war”.
“Dear friends, this great victory will forever remain a glorious page in the history of our country, but we also remember our allies in the anti-Nazi coalition. We are grateful to people of the United Kingdom and France , the United States of America for their contribution to this victory. We are also grateful to anti-fascist forces in various countries fighting Nazism, including Germany itself. We remember how allies met on the river and how we fought together. This was a good example of nations joining their forces for the sake of peace and security”.
“These values became the foundation of the post-war world order. The United Nations was set up. The modern system of international law was formed. These institutions proved to be efficient in resolving conflicts and disputes. However, during the last decade the basic fundamental principles of international coöperation are increasingly ignored. We saw attempts to set up a unipolar world order; we see the use of force this type of mentality undermines global security. We should work together to produce a system of equal security for all nations which would address modern threats efficiently. It should be based on non-bloc principles of stability. Only this will allow us to ensure peace on this whole planet”.
“Dear friends, today we welcome all our foreign guests here, and we express our appreciation to representatives of countries that fought Nazism and Japanese militarism. There will be troops from ten more nations parading on Red Square today. Their grandfathers and great-grandfathers fought together on the front lines, and in the rear we see a delegation from China. They lost many, many millions of people in this war, and it was China where battles against the Japanese militarism were fought. Also India and Serbia made an important contribution throughout the whole war. Mongolia supported our country and today grandsons of that generation will march in Red Square together”.
“This is our joint anniversary. The entire mankind fought Nazism. Our forefathers, our grandfathers fought and worked extremely hard, sacrificed their lives. This was true heroism and patriotism, and we appreciate the people who fought from house to house for every town, who died in the battles of Moscow, Stalingrad, and who died in the besieged Leningrad, who died in the concentration camps under German occupation. We bow our heads to commemorate our sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmother, friends, relatives – everybody who did not come back from that war; everybody who is no longer present with us here today”.
“Let us now have a moment of silence”.
“Our dear veterans, you are the main heroes on Victory Day. What you did determined a peaceful outcome for many, many generations and afforded an opportunity to live our lives. Today your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren continue what you did. They labor for their homeland, they serve their motherland, they address modern challenges, and secure successful development for our motherland – our Russia. Glory to our people who won this war. This is day of great victory. Happy Victory Day to all”.
(Thank you to RT at YouTube)
Vladimir Putin Victory Day Speech
“Immortal Regiment” March