Russia does not seek an arms race or military dominance, its armed forces are an important factor in international security, said Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov.
“The improvement of the armed forces remains our absolute priority. They are a reliable shield of the Homeland and an important component of international security. However, we do not seek an arms race or military dominance. Our goal is to have a defense potential sufficient to deter any potential enemy from aggression”, – Antonov said at a reception at the embassy on the occasion of Defender of the Fatherland Day.
As part of the celebration, about 400 representatives of diplomatic missions based in Washington were invited to the embassy for the reception. The exposition of the Russian Historical Society “The Way to Victory: Historical Sources testify” was presented to their attention.
Among the exhibits, in addition to photographs from the Great Patriotic War, was a letter from U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin on February 23, 1945. In the letter, Roosevelt congratulated Stalin on the 27th anniversary of the establishment of the Red Army, and also mentioned the decisions of the Yalta Conference, which he called the “basis for long-term peace.
“The Red Army’s continuing outstanding success, along with the combined efforts of the United Nations forces in the south and west, will ensure that our common goal of world peace is quickly achieved through mutual understanding and cooperation”, – the U.S. president said 75 years ago.