Putin Says Russia Stands with China against ‘Neo-Nazism’
Russian President Vladimir Putinthanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for joining celebrations to mark 80 years since the “sacred” victory over Adolf Hitler in World War Two, and said the two countries stood together now against “neo-Nazism”.
Xi’s presence at this week’s anniversary celebrations provides an important boost for the Kremlin leader, who has portrayed his war in Ukraine as a struggle against modern-day Nazis from the start.
Ukraine and its allies reject that characterization as a grotesque falsehood, accusing Moscow of conducting an imperial-style invasion.
“The victory over fascism, achieved at the cost of enormous sacrifices, is of lasting significance,” Putin told Xi on Thursday.
“Together with our Chinese friends, we firmly stand guard over historical truth, protect the memory of the events of the war years, and counteract modern manifestations of neo-Nazism and militarism.”
Xi said the two countries, as world powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, would work together to counter “unilateralism and bullying” – an implied reference to the United States.
