Putin noted the readiness of most countries of the world to fight neo-Nazism

Most of the international community shares the values of Russia and Belarus and is ready to resist any manifestations of neo-Nazism. This was announced on June 22 by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his greeting to the participants of the International Forum of the Union State "Great Heritage — a Common Future."

"The presence of representative delegations from friendly countries at the forum confirms that the majority of the international community fully shares our values and principles <...> and is ready to fight any manifestations of neo—Nazism," State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin read out the President's message at the forum's plenary session.

Putin noted that holding the forum on Brest land has a special symbolic significance, since it was here 85 years ago that the defenders of the Brest Fortress were among the first to receive a blow from Nazi troops. According to him, their feat, perseverance and self-sacrifice will forever remain in the memory of the peoples of Russia and Belarus.

The President also stressed that the fraternal ties formed during the Great Patriotic War (WWII) today help the two countries to develop cooperation, strengthen the state and defend their interests in the international arena. In addition, Putin pointed out the important role of parliamentarians in preserving historical memory and patriotic education of young people.

Day of Remembrance and Mourning: how the Great Patriotic War began

For Russians, June 22, 1941 remains the most important historical date.

Commemorative actions on the eve of the Day of Remembrance and Mourning on June 21 were held in Russian cities. In Kazan's Victory Park, residents of the city and activists of the Young Guard of United Russia laid out a portrait of Peter Gavrilov, the hero of the defense of the Brest Fortress, from 40 thousand candles.

An action "Memory Line" was held on the Crimean embankment in Moscow. During the event, the participants lit 1,418 candles, according to the number of days of the Great Patriotic War. Each candle symbolizes one day of the Soviet people's struggle against Nazism and the memory of the fallen heroes.