11-12-2013, 04:01 PM
Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko speaks at Remembrance Day ceremony (Soviet War memorial, Imperial War Museum, 10 November 2013)
Lord Mayor
Your Excellences
Dear veterans
Ladies and Gentlemen
Today, on the 10th of November 2013, we honor and remember members of the Russian and Soviet armed forces who fought heroically and sacrificed their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
The First World War or Great War became known as “the war to end all wars”, but in 20-years time World War II broke out. It was only then, that the world drew the right conclusions and created a universal collective security system, based on the United Nations. Still, the ideological confrontation of the Cold War distorted its operation. The perceived geopolitical imperatives led to many military conflicts or stood in the way of international effort to help resolve peacefully a number of domestic and international conflicts. It is only now, that the international armed community can make full use of the peace-keeping potential of the United Nations.
It has been a consistent policy of New Russia to eliminate use of military force in world politics. We did it at all times, including by convening the two Hague Conferences at the turn of the century and by way of disarmament initiations at the time of the Cold War. We strongly believe that political, negotiated solutions have no realistic alternatives. This explains our position on the events in the Middle East, including the Syrian crisis.
We need to pause our busy lives and take a moment to consider horrifying cost of conflicts in the past and understand the very reason why we should work hard towards making the world a better place free of the scourge of war.
Thank you.
Lord Mayor
Your Excellences
Dear veterans
Ladies and Gentlemen
Today, on the 10th of November 2013, we honor and remember members of the Russian and Soviet armed forces who fought heroically and sacrificed their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
The First World War or Great War became known as “the war to end all wars”, but in 20-years time World War II broke out. It was only then, that the world drew the right conclusions and created a universal collective security system, based on the United Nations. Still, the ideological confrontation of the Cold War distorted its operation. The perceived geopolitical imperatives led to many military conflicts or stood in the way of international effort to help resolve peacefully a number of domestic and international conflicts. It is only now, that the international armed community can make full use of the peace-keeping potential of the United Nations.
It has been a consistent policy of New Russia to eliminate use of military force in world politics. We did it at all times, including by convening the two Hague Conferences at the turn of the century and by way of disarmament initiations at the time of the Cold War. We strongly believe that political, negotiated solutions have no realistic alternatives. This explains our position on the events in the Middle East, including the Syrian crisis.
We need to pause our busy lives and take a moment to consider horrifying cost of conflicts in the past and understand the very reason why we should work hard towards making the world a better place free of the scourge of war.
Thank you.
