Serbian and Russian presidents speak at military parade

Serbian and Russian presidents speak at military parade

At the beginning of the parade organized to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade in World War II, Nikolić said that Serbian citizens are proud of their army.

"Not only because it has sprung from the people, because it was and still is of the people, but because it never, in its centuries-long history, led wars of conquest, because with the heroism of our ancestors, the glorious victories in both world wars, it always signed its name on the side of the righteous and of the winners," Nikolić said.

He pointed out that with the military parade Serbia welcomes the modern Serbian soldiers who are marching proud of the legacy of their ancestors, ready to defend their own, devoted to the stability of the country and the region, and peace in Europe and the world.

"Today's parade is a solemn and very important moment, an indicator of the readiness of the Army of Serbia and the unity of the army and people," Nikolić said, adding that the parade will display "also the military industrial products of Serbia, the Serbian smarts and recognized technologies, which are in quality equal to those coming from the most developed countries."

Addressing Putin, Nikolić said it was not only on one occasion that Serbia "felt the great Russian assistance, crowned with courage and honor," which that country offered "without thinking about the consequences for its own state and nation."

Noting that a monument will soon be unveiled in Belgrade to Russian Tsar Nicholas II, Nikolić said the last Russian emperor saved the Serbian military and refugees from destruction in World War I.

"The Russian Necropolis in Belgrade's New Cemetery is a holy place for every inhabitant of the Serbian capital, it is the eternal gratitude of the people of my country to every private, corporal and officer of the Russian army who forever remained in Serbia, for which they heroically gave their lives," Nikolić said.

Speaking about World War II, Nikolić said that 70 years ago, the Partisans and the Red Army liberated every street, every building in Belgrade, leaving the famous mark, "Min nyet" ("No mines").

"Red Army soldiers from the Third Ukrainian Front were fighting as if they fought to defend the freedom and honor of Moscow, suffering grave wounds and losing their lives in the streets of the Serbian capital," said Nikolić.

He said that Belgraders, by dedicating this entire week to "the 70th anniversary of life in peace," celebrating victory over fascism, remember all the brave Partisans and Red Army soldiers to whom they owe their freedom.

Noting that Putin was today awarded the highest honor of Serbia - the Order the of the Republic, Nikolić said that the president of Russia is the only person to be given that decoration, "made of the blood and tears of our suffering people, forged from the weapons Serbian soldier carried in wars."

"Wear it as a sign of gratitude of my country for every soldier of your country in the First and the Second World War who returned from Serbia, or who, unfortunately, remained with us forever. Wear it as a sign of gratitude for everything you and your people have done and are doing today so that Serbia can, in peace and freedom, preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and progress in all areas of life," Nikolić told Putin.

He added that the shared glory of the history of Russia and Serbia should remain "a permanent and unbreakable bond of brotherhood, friendship that always was, is, and will be the pride of our countries and peoples, to the benefit of any well-intentioned person in the world." Russian President Vladimir Putin also addressed those gathered, saying the parade was an opportunity to express gratitude toward veterans, but also to strive to be worthy of their glory.

"The anniversary of the liberation is the opportunity to honor all those who fought against the Nazis. Our fathers and grandfathers fought for the right thing and showed an audacity on all fronts. Their courage was without limits, their brotherhood unbreakable, and their state of mind transcended all. And here at the parade our shared profound memories unite us," said Putin.

To the Soviet Union, he said, belongs the key role in defeating fascism.

"However, we will never divide the victory into ours and other people's, nor will we forget our allies in the anti-Hitler coalition," Putins said and urged that attempts of historic revisionism be prevented.

"The Belgrade operation became an important stage on the way to the big victory. Our peoples jointly led a long, tough and bloody fight against the Nazis. The USSR and Yugoslavia provided nationwide resistance to the aggressor," concluded Putin, ending his speech by exclaiming, "Long live the brotherly Serbia!" Some 20,000 people gathered in rainy weather for the parade, and before and after the speech of Russian president, they chanted "Putin, Putin", and "Russia, Russia."

The military parade was also attended by WW2 veterans, members of the Serbian government, Russian officials, deputies in the Serbian assembly, RS President Milorad Dodik, and other officials.

Among those present were also NIS General Director Kirill Kravchenko and famed film director Emir Kusturica.

The parade was attended by retired General Branko Krga, but also by former military and political leaders and Hague indictees Momčilo Perišić, Milan Milutinović, Dragoljub Ojdanić.

The streets of New Belgrade were crowded by citizens who carried Serbian flags and also images of the Russian president.