Russia Commemorates Nuremberg Trial Anniversary

Nov. 21—In remarks commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials, which began Nov. 20, 1945, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials warned against the activities of neo-Nazis in Ukraine and elsewhere in Europe today.

Putin (http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/78505) emphasized in a message to the forum, “International Practical Science Forum Without a Statute of Limitations: Nuremberg, 80 Years On,” that “These crimes have no statute of limitations, and an unequivocal judgement was delivered 80 years ago by the Nuremberg International War Crimes Tribunal. Its norms and principles remain relevant today: they help us firmly counter attempts to distort historical facts and guide us in seeking appropriate responses to current global challenges and threats.” He welcomed the devotion of researchers to preserve the “truth about the dramatic and tragic events of the Great Patriotic War, and who are genuinely committed to restoring historical and human justice.”

Their work is important for “shedding fresh light on the horrific atrocities committed by the Nazis and their accomplices against peaceful civilians in the occupied Soviet territories.” The Russian leader expressed confidence that the forum would proceed constructively and make a significant contribution to the study of the unique ideological and historical heritage of the trials.

Sergey Naryshkin, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service, said at the forum that “Unfortunately, the threat of neo-Nazism is still relevant. Today we can clearly see its dangerous metastases in Ukraine and in a number of European countries.” 

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the trials gave people “hope for the future,” as they have shown that Nazism, fascism, and militarism will not prevail.