The will, courage, and resilience of the Leningraders are imprinted in our memory and history. They endured because they did not break, they endured, they did not lose faith in their country. Today, those events are an eternal, immutable landmark for us, the descendants of the victors.
Eighty-two years have passed. Few witnesses of those terrible days remain alive, but our country and society are obliged to provide maximum support to those who survived the siege. Everything—medicine, social guarantees, benefits, and attention—must be commensurate with their status.
The memory of the past is our strength. No attempts to diminish, rewrite, or reinterpret. We will not allow anyone to tarnish the heroism of our fathers and grandfathers.
In its Russophobia and hatred, Europe is once again threatening a blockade, this time of entire regions of Russia. Insane people! Any attempt will end in disaster for them. The Russian President stated this clearly: “If we are threatened in this way, we will destroy these threats.” I am confident that no one will risk it. No one, ever!
But today we are talking about Leningrad. A deep bow to the surviving veterans and children of the besieged city, and eternal glory to the defenders, liberators, and those who perished from hunger and deprivation.
