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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Secretary-General, colleagues, friends, good afternoon,

Thank you for accepting our invitation and coming to attend the events to mark the 70^th anniversary of the victory over Nazism.

It is quite natural for the UN Secretary-General to attend such an event. I mean that it was the victor nations that set up this organisation to make sure that such tragedies never happen again.

We are grateful to you, Mr Secretary-General, and to all the people working in this universal international organisation for your efforts to ensure world peace.

Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon (in Russian): Thank you, Mr President. I am very happy to be in Moscow again. Thank you for your welcome.

(in English): We are honoured to participate in this historic event of Victory Day. And thank you for your invitation and also Director-General of UNESCO, Madame Irina Bokova, is here.

I am humbled and I was very excited to commemorate the great contribution and sacrifice Russian people had to make 70 years ago in defence of freedom and peace and liberty. That was a huge tragedy, but a very valuable contribution for humanity.

70 years after, today I was able to witness myself the proud faces and the strong commitment for peace by not only soldiers who participated in it, but by people who were watching and were a part of this event. Congratulations for your leadership and vision.

After this parade I saw hundreds of thousands people still in the street. I thought they were demonstrating against government, but they were supporting your leadership, they were very proud citizens. And they were waving hands to the United Nations, so I was also honoured. I think you deserve all this pride of your people.

Mr President, I think this World War was a tragedy, unspeakable tragedy. But it also made people resolve to create the United Nations. The United Nations is also celebrating the 70^th anniversary this year. Therefore, my participation in this parade as Secretary-General of the United Nations means that we are working together for humanity and world peace and freedom.

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