Opening remarks of Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation Vassily Nebenzia at the Defender of the Fatherland Day reception
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I’m happy to welcome you here today as we celebrate the day of the 23rd of February.
This holiday was celebrated in the Soviet Union and later after the Soviet Union. It is a day of Defenders of Motherland. In fact, it is celebrated on the 23rd of February. But we were not sure that you would come here on Sunday, thanks for coming today. In fact, Russia had to defend itself from the very early days. Since the 15 century, Russia was in continuing war for 489 with 25 countries.
And the country earlier and today always produced people who were ready to defend it, who were ready to sacrifice their lives for the country. For there is no greater love for a man, than the love for the man who laid down his life for his land. And of course during today’s celebration we can not forget about the greatest heroic feats that the Red Army did during the Second World War. That was obvious that the Soviet people paid the highest toll, estimated 28 million people. And I’m particularly happy to welcome our veterans who are with us today. Thank you very much for what you did. I’m also a son of a War veteran. For me it is a particular pleasure to see you here today.
Though it is not politically correct, today especially, but in Russia and in the Soviet Union this day was considered as a men’s holiday. And it is not only politically incorrect, but also incorrect in fact because today many women serve in the Russian Army. And that’s their celebration too. As well as of many men who are present here, because we are all in reserve of the army, including myself. If something happens, I will have to be on active duty too. God forbid it does. But today Russia is proud to have an army which is strong, which is ready to defend its country. Because we are guided by the maxim, I think by Napoleon, who said that the people who don’t want to feed their own army will feed a foreign army.
The 8 March is considered a women’s day when men are segregated completely, but 23rd February is mainly men’s celebration, but also celebration of women who are in the Russian Army. I would like to congratulate our military people who are with us here serving at the Military Staff Committee at the United Nations. I would like to congratulate all military personnel back at home in Russia and those who are on active duty all over the world including in UN missions by the way.
Thank you for coming to celebrate this day with us.
