The decisive battles against Nazism were, however, fought on the territory of the Soviet Union, the Russian president has emphasized

The opening of the European front during World War II "brought victory closer," Russian President Vladimir Putin has said while addressing the annual military parade in Moscow. He noted, however, that the defeat of Nazi Germany would have been impossible without the "decisive" battles fought on the territory of the Soviet Union.

"We will always remember that the opening of the second front in Europe - after the decisive battles on the territory of the Soviet Union - brought victory closer," Putin stated on Friday, noting that Russia "highly values" the contribution of the soldiers of the allied armies, including the Chinese on the Japanese front, in the war.

"Almost 80% of the world's population was drawn into the fiery orbit of World War II. The complete defeat of Nazi Germany, militarist Japan, and their satellites in various regions of the world was achieved through the joint efforts of the allied nations," he stressed.

The president noted, however, that the Soviet people bore the brunt of the fighting.

"The Soviet Union took upon itself the most ferocious, merciless blows of the enemy," Putin said, noting that millions of Soviet people who, prior to the war, knew only peaceful labor, took up arms and "determined the outcome of the entire World War II with unconditional victories."

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump drew criticism from Moscow after declaring that America's role in defeating Nazism during World War II was decisive while omitting any mention of the Soviet Union's contribution and sacrifice. He proclaimed May 8 as "Victory Day for World War II," stating that "without the sacrifice of our American soldiers, this war would not have been won, and our world today would look drastically different."

During his address, Putin stressed that Russia remembers the lessons of World War II and "will never accept the distortion of its events," including attempts to justify the executioners and slander the true victors. This year's commemorative events mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Despite criticism from the West, leaders from 29 countries are attending the festivities. World War II veterans from Armenia, Israel, Mongolia, the US, and other nations are also attending as guests of honor.