OREANDA-NEWS. July 1, 2009. The congratulatory message from President Medvedev reads, in particular:

“I sincerely congratulate all the veterans of the Great Patriotic War and all the people of Belarus on the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders.

This truly is an important date in our common history. The large-scale military operation codenamed Bagration that liberated Belarus allowed the Soviet troops to reach the borders of their motherland. The successful offensive had enormous strategic significance in banishing the aggressors from our land, and ultimately, in the subsequent victory.

The memory of that heroic achievement is sacred to our peoples. Many lives were lost in the fight for the liberty and independence of our motherland. We are deeply indebted to the veterans whose bravery and camaraderie on the battlefield have become an example of selfless service to the ideals of peace, goodness, and humanism. This is why we must teach future generations about this war. We must not allow this truth to be distorted, and we must suppress any resurgence of Nazism.

It is very important to preserve our friendship and mutual respect, which has been so deeply tried and tested, and which remains a steady foundation for further developing our ties. We are firmly determined to continue strengthening the economic basis of Russian-Belarusian ties, increasing cooperation in the social and humanitarian sectors, in defence and security, and in foreign affairs. We are certain that this approach responds to the interests of social and democratic progress, and is conducive to further improvements in the welfare of Russian and Belarusian citizens and strengthening their spiritual, cultural, and historic solidarity.”