United States President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a joint statement commemorating the 75th anniversary of the historic encounter between American and Soviet troops at the end of World War II.
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The event, the so-called “Elbe Day”, is an example of how both countries can set aside their differences for a common goal and work together. The Kremlin and that White House had published the statement at the same time. “While facing the greatest challenges of the 21st century today, we pay tribute to the heroism and courage of all those who fought together to defeat fascism,” it says.
Every year the “Elbe Day” commemorates the encounter of American and Soviet soldiers on the destroyed Elbe Bridge on April 25, 1945. The encounter symbolically marked the near end of the Second world war.
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The actually planned big celebrations for the “Elbe Day” in Torgau in Saxony were canceled due to the corona pandemic. Mayor Romina Barth (CDU) and regional bishop Johann Schneider took part in a wreath-laying ceremony without guests.
Trump was invited to the military parade originally planned for May 9 in Moscow to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany, but had canceled. Because of the Corona virus the parade had been postponed indefinitely.
The relationship between Russia and the USA has been shattered for years because of numerous disputes. The extension of the New Start treaty to limit strategic nuclear weapons is also increasingly on the brink. In the Corona crisis, however, Trump and Putin had called each other several times. Russia had even sent aid to the United States to fight the corona pandemic.
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