Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday spoke on the phone to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, Anadolu agency reports.
The two leaders stressed that for Russia and Germany this date carries particular importance, and vowed to preserve the historical memory of the tragic events of those years to avoid any recurrence, the Kremlin said in a statement posted on its website.
Putin and Merkel called Russia and Germany "partners in resolving many international problems" and confirmed their intention to further build constructive relations.
Turning to the coronavirus pandemic, both leaders expressed the intention to continue the already established close cooperation in countering the virus’ spread.
In a separate phone conversation with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Putin thanked Great Britain for its contribution in the victory over the Nazi Germany.
In turn, Boris Johnson expressed gratitude on behalf of the British people for the decisive contribution of the Soviet Union and its armed forces in achieving victory over the common enemy.
"The military community of those years reminds of the importance of consolidating efforts to counter modern challenges and threats, one of which is the coronavirus pandemic," Johnson said.
