Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message on the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
“Today we bow our heads to the memory of hundreds of thousands of victims of the Armenian Genocide, one of the most terrible tragedies of the 20th century. A cruel reprisal was carried out against defenseless, innocent people: they were killed, injured, and expelled from their cities and settlements. This tragedy shocked the entire civilized world, and its disastrous consequences convincingly showed what the incitement of religious hostility, nationalism, and xenophobia can lead to.
I want to note that our country’s position on this issue has always been unchanged. Back in May 1915, it was reflected in the joint declaration of Russia, Great Britain, and France, which condemned violence against the Armenian people as a crime against humanity and civilization, and already at a new historical stage, in the statement of the State Duma of April 14, 1995.
We are confident that the policy of mass extermination and deportation of people based on their national characteristics cannot be justified, and the international community must unite its efforts so that such barbarity is never repeated anywhere.
The persecution and repression of those years have become an unhealed wound for many generations of Armenians. Still, the disaster they survived has united people who have shown loyalty to traditions, wisdom, and courage. I am convinced that in the future the sons and daughters of Armenia will also preserve their national identity, centuries-old culture, language, freedom, and spiritual values.
I wish well-being, prosperity, and all the best to the friendly Armenian people,” the message says.
