Good morning. Today is the day that Russia marks the anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The Kremlin's website has posted a message of congratulations to former Soviet states, many of whom were also affected by the conflict. Georgia and Ukraine get a mention, but the wording seems quite pointed:
Congratulations to the heads of a number of states on the 71st anniversary of Victory in Great Patriotic War
Vladimir Putin congratulated the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and citizens of Georgia and Ukraine on the 71st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
The congratulatory message by the President of Russia highlights, in particular, that the Victory Day is a sacred holiday, the one that will always symbolise heroism and unity of those nations who rose up to fight for their fatherland and saved the world from fascism.
Vladimir Putin stressed that general history must not be revised and tragic mistakes of the past must not be repeated. Our common duty is to carefully cherish the memory of those who died in the Great Patriotic War and render all possible care to the veterans who are still with us.
The Russian President expressed confidence that during joint struggles the ties of friendship and brotherhood will go on serving as a basis for the subsequent improvement of inter-state relations and will promote the development of integration processes in the Eurasian space.
Vladimir Putin expressed his sincere gratitude to all war veterans and home-front workers, wished them good health and longevity.
That ends the live blogging for today.
Timothy Snyder lecture here:
Tomorrow is Victory Day in Ukraine and across the former Soviet Union.