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The message to Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev said, in part: “I am deeply convinced that the strengthening of mutual understanding and multi-faceted Russian-Kyrgyz cooperation, as well as joint efforts to prevent new threats to peace and regional security, will serve as a worthy tribute to the memory of the soldiers who gave their lives in the struggle against Nazism.”

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The message to Azerbaijani President Heidar Aliyev said, in part: “Our victory in one of the most terrible wars of the 20th century was made possible by the feats on the battlefield and on the home front of millions of people of different nationalities, who joined hands in order to defend their fatherland. During that terrible ordeal, the peoples of Russia and Azerbaijan fought together for freedom and independence.

“I am convinced that international peace and stability can only be guaranteed through the joint efforts of different nations, including Russia and Azerbaijan.”

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The message to Uzbek President Islam Karimov said, in part:

“The present and future generations will always remember those who gave their lives in order to rid humankind of the Nazi menace. History will forever remember the fact that our peoples were united during that terrible ordeal.

“Our sacred duty to the victims of that terrible war is to make consistent efforts to promote multi-faceted Russian-Uzbek cooperation and to resolutely thwart any attempts by the forces of international terrorism and political and religious extremism to disrupt the secure, tranquil and peaceful life of the peoples of Russia and Uzbekistan.”

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The message to Armenian President Robert Kocharian said, in part: “Armenia made an impressive contribution to defeating Nazism. Tens of thousands of Armenian men and women were decorated for bravery, and 96 Armenian soldiers received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The names of such outstanding military leaders as Marshal Ivan Bagramian and Admiral Ivan Isakov are forever emblazoned in the history of the war. Together with other Soviet peoples, the Armenian nation worked on the home front to produce weapons that helped win the war. I am convinced that Russian-Armenian strategic partnership will be furthered and expanded in the interests of the peoples of Armenia and Russia, as well as peace and stability in the Caucasus.”

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The message to Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma said, in part: “This victory was the result of the heroic efforts of our fathers and grandfathers who bravely and selflessly defended the freedom and independence of our fatherland. Grateful posterity will always remember their military feat.

“Our peoples managed to attain a long-awaited peace through their tremendous sacrifice. I am convinced that it is our sacred duty before the memory of the fallen to do everything possible for the friendly relations between Russia and Ukraine to turn into a genuine strategic partnership.”

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The message to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said, in part:

“Russians and Belarusians underwent terrible ordeals and served as everlasting examples of heroism and self-sacrifice.

“We are now jointly establishing the Union State, which is intended to create a reliable foundation for decent life of our peoples and the dynamic development of our countries. I am convinced that constructive endeavours in this noble undertaking are the best way to remember the glorious deeds of the generation of victors.”

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The message to Moldovan President Petru Lucinschi said, in part: “I am convinced that the memory of the military feats and heroism of the defenders of our fatherland will forever serve as a solid foundation for furthering friendly ties between the peoples of Russia and Moldova. I know for sure that the consistent development of multi-faceted and mutually beneficial Russian-Moldovan relations will embody the aspirations of our fathers and grandfathers who gave their lives in the struggle against Nazism.”

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Mr Putin congratulated Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev on the 55th anniversary of the USSR’s victory in the Great Patriotic War.

The message said, in part: “Our fathers and grandfathers fought shoulder to shoulder in order to save the world from Nazism. I am convinced that the fraternal peoples of Russia and Kazakhstan, who vividly recall the lessons of history, will do their best to strengthen their relations as allies and neighbours, which are an important factor in international and regional security and stability.”

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The message sent by Mr Putin to Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov said, in part:

“Posterity will always remember the names of all those who fell in the battle against Nazism, including the name of your father, Atamurat Niyazov, who gave his life for the freedom and independence of our fatherland.

“Let our brotherhood, which was forged in battle and on the home front, continue to serve the cause of strengthening friendship and cooperation between our countries and peoples.”

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The message to Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov said, in part: “We shall always remember the men and women of Russia and Tajikistan who gave their lives for the freedom and peaceful future of our peoples.

“Today, as the Republic of Tajikistan works to achieve civil accord and peace, Russia is ready to render every possible assistance in your country’s post-conflict settlement. This will be ensured through our multi-faceted bilateral cooperation, which is expanding and developing for the benefit of our peoples and in the interests of regional security and stability.”

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The message sent by Mr Putin to Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze said, in part:

“Russia reveres the immortal feats of Georgia’s heroic men and women, who made a weighty contribution to defeating Nazism. The names of outstanding Russian and Georgian nationals, Mikhail Yegorov and Meliton Kantaria, who hoisted the Victory Banner over the captured Reichstag, are forever emblazoned in our military history.

“I am convinced that Russian-Georgian friendship, which was forged in the battles of the Great Patriotic War, will be furthered in the name of peace and stability in the Caucasus.”