Statement of the CIS Heads of State on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the beginning of World War II

2019 will see the 80^th anniversary of the start of World War II. 61 states with a population of 1,7 billion people were drawn into the war. Military operations took place in the territories of 40 countries, as well as in sea and ocean spaces. The leaders of the CIS Member Nations adopted a statement on the occasion of the 80^th anniversary of the beginning of World War II.

Chairman of the Executive Committee – Executive Secretary of the CIS Sergey Lebedev noted in an interview that the statement was intended to draw the international attention to the need for an objective and principled assessment of the crimes of fascist Germany, a joint opposition to attempts to justify and glorify the Nazis and their supporters, and promote respect for monuments, war memorials and cemeteries of the soldiers who died during the liberation of countries in Europe and Asia.

The Statement on the occasion of the 80^th anniversary of the beginning of World War II was adopted on 5 August 2019 by the decision of the Council of the CIS Heads of State.