Russian people saved humanity from fascism

Alina Perera Robbio, Granma, May 8, 2025 —

We are fulfilling our duty to be present on this occasion of celebrations and to be with you, said Díaz-Canel to Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed in the Kremlin President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, who since last Monday has been carrying out an intense work agenda, first in St. Petersburg and now in Moscow.

I would like to welcome you here in Moscow, said Putin, who recalled that “we met just a year ago”. He made reference to Díaz-Canel’s visit in 2024, also to participate in the celebrations for the victory in the Great Patriotic War.

I thank you for considering our invitation to celebrate with us the 80th anniversary of the victory in the war against Nazism, the president said.

On that fundamental fact, Putin stressed that Cuba also made its contribution in the fight against Nazism, and mentioned the Cuban volunteers who fought with the fighters of the Soviet Army.

It is symbolic that this date coincides with the 65th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, considered the Russian dignitary, who ended his words, in the presence of the accredited press, with a “greeting to comrade Raúl Castro”. We are very glad to see you, he added.

Taking the floor, President Díaz-Canel said that “for us it was very significant to be present on the occasion of these commemorations”.

In these times, he stressed, “there are increasing attempts to try to diminish the leading and heroic role of the Soviet Union and the Red Army, of the Russian people, in relation to the victory over fascism, which was not only the victory to preserve the integrity of the Russian nation, but it was also the victory against fascism for all mankind. I believe that the Russian people have the merit of having saved humanity from fascism, and now they are trying to rewrite history, they are trying to deny it, we are in the presence of new manifestations of fascism at the world level, and I believe that it is very important that we should try to tell the true history, to remember this historical memory”.

We are fulfilling a duty by being present on this occasion of celebrations and being with you, considered the Head of State, who also expressed that he was “the bearer of a message and an affectionate embrace from the General of the Army to you”.

Regarding the relations between both nations, he commented that they have endured, despite the challenges they have had to face.

“History has shown us that only unity based on that cooperation, on that solidarity and on that friendship allows us to face the current challenges and the challenges of the future.

“We are very happy to be here with you,” said Díaz-Canel.

Shortly after, the Head of State wrote in his account in x that in this meeting they had also “updated all the issues of cooperation, which is advancing steadily.”