A real threat was the reason for the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Russian president Vladimir Putin stated at a meeting with representatives of veterans' organizations, which took place today on the anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan.At the beginning of the meeting the president proposed remembering those killed in Afghanistan while fulfilling their duty to the Fatherland, and to honor their memory with a minute of silence.Upon returning from the war, many ex-soldiers and officers faced not only material, but also moral problems, the Russian leader acknowledged.The President also stated that he considers the educational work performed by representatives of veterans' organizations, including those of the war in Afghanistan, to be important. The head of state promised his support in organizing this work in a more active format in universities.On 25 December 1979 Soviet troops entered Afghanistan to assist the government of the PDPA "to assist the Afghan people in repelling armed aggression." As was explained by the leadership of the USSR, this was done in full accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and Article 4 of the Soviet-Afghan treaty of friendship, good neighborliness and cooperation from 5 December 1978 in response to a request from Afghanistan.On 14 April 1988, through the mediation of the UN, the foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Soviet Union and the United States signed an agreement in Geneva on a political settlement of the situation around Afghanistan. According to it, the Soviet Union pledged to withdraw its troops in a 9-month period, beginning on 15 May; the US and Pakistan had to stop supporting the Mujahideen.The withdrawal of the troops of the 40th Army was completed on 15 February 1989. The Afghan War lasted for 2,238 days.
A real threat was the reason for the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Russian president Vladimir Putin stated at a meeting with representatives of veterans' organizations, which took place today on the anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan.
At the beginning of the meeting the president proposed remembering those killed in Afghanistan while fulfilling their duty to the Fatherland, and to honor their memory with a minute of silence.
Upon returning from the war, many ex-soldiers and officers faced not only material, but also moral problems, the Russian leader acknowledged.
The President also stated that he considers the educational work performed by representatives of veterans' organizations, including those of the war in Afghanistan, to be important. The head of state promised his support in organizing this work in a more active format in universities.
On 25 December 1979 Soviet troops entered Afghanistan to assist the government of the PDPA "to assist the Afghan people in repelling armed aggression." As was explained by the leadership of the USSR, this was done in full accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and Article 4 of the Soviet-Afghan treaty of friendship, good neighborliness and cooperation from 5 December 1978 in response to a request from Afghanistan.
On 14 April 1988, through the mediation of the UN, the foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Soviet Union and the United States signed an agreement in Geneva on a political settlement of the situation around Afghanistan. According to it, the Soviet Union pledged to withdraw its troops in a 9-month period, beginning on 15 May; the US and Pakistan had to stop supporting the Mujahideen.
The withdrawal of the troops of the 40th Army was completed on 15 February 1989. The Afghan War lasted for 2,238 days.
