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Xi made the remarks while holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his state visit to Russia. The two leaders exchanged in-depth views on China-Russia relations and major international and regional issues, reaching consensus on unwaveringly deepening strategic coordination and promoting the stable, healthy and high-level development of China-Russia relations.

The two leaders also called for promoting the correct historical perspective on World War II, maintaining the authority and status of the United Nations, and safeguarding international justice and fairness.

Following a grand welcoming ceremony for Xi, the two leaders held small-group and large-group talks successively.

In recent years, China-Russia ties have enjoyed stable, healthy and high-level development thanks to joint efforts from both sides, Xi said, hailing long-term good-neighborly friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation as distinct features of bilateral ties.

The political mutual trust between the two countries has grown ever deeper, the bond of practical cooperation ever stronger, while people-to-people exchanges and local interactions have flourished with increasing vitality, Xi said, noting that China-Russia relations have grown more confident, stable and resilient in the new era.

Xi said that history and reality have fully proved that continuing to develop and deepen China-Russia relations is integral to carrying forward the friendship between the two peoples from generation to generation, adding that it is an inevitable choice for both sides to achieve mutual success and promote their own development and revitalization.

It is also the call of the times for safeguarding international fairness and justice and promoting the reform of the global governance system, Xi said.

Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victories of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War, Xi said that 80 years ago, peoples of China and Russia made tremendous sacrifices and won great victories, making remarkable historic contributions to maintaining world peace and the cause of human progress.

China will work with Russia to take a clear stand to jointly promote the correct historical perspective on World War II, safeguard the authority and status of the United Nations, firmly defend the victory of World War II, resolutely defend the rights and interests of China, Russia and the vast number of developing countries, and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, Xi said.

The two heads of state also received briefings from respective department leaders of the two countries regarding bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

Xi pointed out that China and Russia should stick to the general course of cooperation and fend off external disruptions, so as to solidify the foundation for stable cooperation and ensure stronger momentum for progress.

The two countries should tap into the resource endowments of both countries and complementary advantages of their industrial systems, and expand high-quality and mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, energy, agriculture, aerospace and artificial intelligence, Xi said.

The two countries should take the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union as a platform to build a high-standard connectivity pattern, he said, adding that the two countries should fully unleash the potential of the China-Russia Years of Culture, strengthen cooperation in education, film, tourism, sports and local areas, and promote deep-rooted people-to-people connectivity.

The two countries should closely coordinate and cooperate on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, unite the Global South, uphold true multilateralism, and steer the right direction of global governance reform, Xi added.

Xi emphasized that China is comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, and that China possesses both the resolve and confidence to overcome all risks and challenges.

No matter how the external environment changes, China will firmly handle its own affairs well, Xi said, adding that China stands ready to work with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities bestowed by the times, safeguard the global multilateral trading system and keep the industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, and make greater contributions to promoting the development and rejuvenation of the two countries and upholding international fairness and justice.

For his part, Putin warmly welcomed Xi’s state visit to Russia and his attendance at the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War. Putin noted the visit’s great significance, as it not only injected strong momentum into the development of Russia-China relations but also helped safeguard the outcomes of the victory of the World War II.

Putin said that the Russia-China relations are based on mutual equality and respect, not targeting any third party and not affected by any temporary incidents.

Unswervingly promoting the development of Russia-China relations and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation are Russia’s strategic choices, Putin said, adding that the Russian side firmly adheres to the one-China principle and has always supported China’s position on the Taiwan question.

Russia is ready to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, strengthen practical cooperation in such fields as trade, investment, energy, agriculture, science and technology, deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges in education, culture, youth, tourism and other areas, and expand the connotations of the Far East region cooperation.

Imposing high tariffs is senseless and illegal, and will only backfire, Putin said, adding that the two sides should enhance coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, support the process toward a multipolar world, jointly oppose unilateralism, reject the abuse of sanctions, resist bloc confrontation, and safeguard the common interests of the international community.

Noting that both Russia and China made great sacrifices in the World Anti-Fascist War, Putin said that under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people fought bravely and achieved a great victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, making significant contributions to the victory of World War II.

During the arduous years of war, Russia and China supported each other and forged a profound friendship, laying a solid foundation for the development of bilateral relations, Putin said, adding that both sides should safeguard the authority of the United Nations and international law, preserve the correct historical narrative on World War II, uphold international fairness and justice, and work together to create a brighter future for both countries and the world.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly signed a joint statement on further deepening the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. The two leaders jointly witnessed the exchange of over 20 bilateral cooperation documents, covering areas including global strategic stability, safeguarding the authority of international law, biosecurity, investment protection, digital economy, quarantine and film cooperation.

The two heads of state instructed the relevant departments of both countries to strengthen communication and coordination in accordance with the consensus reached by both sides, promote practical cooperation and achieve more concrete results.

The two heads of state also jointly met the press.

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 8, 2025. Xi held talks here on Thursday with Putin. Putin held a welcome ceremony for Xi at the St. George’s Hall. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Xinhua

“We just hope that these talks will help the United States and China to move towards a more normalized relationship regarding their trade relations. As the secretary general made clear, there can be no winners in a trade war,” Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said at a daily briefing.

The UN chief “is particularly worried about the situation in terms of how a global war could affect developing countries. So any effort to avoid that would be welcome,” Haq added.

He Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, will visit Switzerland from May 9 to 12. During his visit to Switzerland, He, as the Chinese lead person for China-U.S. economic and trade affairs, will have a meeting with the U.S. lead person Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Wednesday.

Xinhua

Construction of the airport began in 2017, spearheaded by the Government of Rwanda.

A few years later, Qatar Airways joined the venture, bringing in additional investment and expertise that led to an expansion of the original design.

Today, the project stands as one of Rwanda’s most strategic infrastructure investments, aligned with its broader National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) to boost economic growth and global connectivity.

According to Jules Ndenga, CEO of Rwanda Aviation Travel and Logistics, foundational work such as the runway, internal roads, and water drainage systems was completed by the end of 2024. The focus has now shifted to constructing the airport’s main buildings.

'We’ve moved into the vertical phase,' he explained. 'The groundwork is finished—the runways, roadways and drainage systems are done. What remains is building upward, and we’re currently laying the foundations.'

'The final phase, which will complete the airport, began nearly a year ago. We are currently at the stage of excavating the building’s foundation,' he added.

The artistic impression of Bugesera International Airport.

Although different parts of the project fall under separate contracts, overall construction progress is being tracked as a whole.

When all the completed work is taken together, the project stands at roughly a quarter of completion.

'The combined works so far account for about 25 to 30 percent of the entire project,' Ndenga said.

The airport is being built by a joint venture of three companies: Mota-Engil from Portugal, which initiated the first phase of construction; UCC Holding from Qatar; and CCC (Consolidated Contractors Company) from Greece.

Together, they formed a unified entity called UMC, which signed the official contract with the Government of Rwanda.

According to Ndenga, this setup ensures streamlined coordination. However, these companies are free to subcontract certain works to local firms, which may supply concrete or handle internal road construction.

Despite the solid progress, Ndenga acknowledged that certain external challenges could impact the timeline.

Global economic instability, rising construction costs, and supply chain disruptions remain real concerns.

He pointed to the post-COVID period as an example, when global demand for goods surged and transportation logistics became severely strained.

Unpredictable weather is another factor. Rwanda typically schedules major construction during the dry season, but unexpected rainfall can delay critical phases of work.

'You might plan to expedite construction during the dry season, only to be caught off-guard by sudden rain. These are the kinds of challenges that can’t always be controlled,' he noted. 'Fortunately, on the technical side, Rwanda has strong experience in construction.'

The project has also begun delivering on its promise of job creation. The ground work employed around 2,000 workers, and the vertical phase is expected to add another 4,000, bringing the total to over 6,000 jobs.

While many of these are formal, contracted positions, the ripple effects are being felt more broadly.

Small businesses and service providers in nearby areas like Nyabagendwa and Nyamata are seeing increased demand as workers spend their wages locally—eating at restaurants, shopping, and using local services.

'Job creation includes both direct and indirect employment,' said Ndenga. 'Even if we can show you contracts for 2,000 workers, more locals benefit from the economic activity this project generates.'

Looking ahead, the first phase of Bugesera International Airport will have the capacity to handle 7 million passengers per year once completed in 2027.

The second phase, expected by 2032, will expand that capacity to 14 million passengers annually. The airport is set to become a key hub for the region, with Qatar Airways holding a 60% stake in the infrastructure.

The foundational work such as the runway, internal roads, and water drainage systems was completed by the end of 2024.

Construction of the airport began in 2017, spearheaded by the Government of Rwanda.

IGIHE

These loans were issued under the government bursary scheme to students pursuing higher education at the University of Rwanda.

The figure was disclosed in BRD’s 2024 annual report, which noted that 2024 recorded the highest annual recovery, with Frw 7.2 billion collected from loan beneficiaries that year alone.

Since 2016, when BRD was officially mandated to manage and recover student loans, the institution has recovered a total of Frw 34.7 billion.

This marks a significant effort in recent years, considering that by 2023, only Frw 24.4 billion had been repaid from a total loan portfolio of Frw 221.85 billion.

The Government of Rwanda first introduced the student loan program in 1980. In 2016, BRD assumed full responsibility for both loan disbursement and collection, taking over an existing loan book valued at Frw 70.9 billion. As of July 2024, the bank had disbursed over Frw 376.9 billion in student loans.

Under current ministerial regulations, loan beneficiaries—or their employers—who fail to make timely repayments incur a 1.5% monthly penalty on the outstanding amount.

This penalty applies starting from the day the beneficiary begins formal employment or signs a repayment agreement, as outlined in Article 22 of the regulation. Even a delay of less than a month is counted as a full month for penalty purposes.

The aim of this penalty is to encourage compliance and ensure the sustainability of the loan scheme so that future generations of students can also benefit.

In an earlier interview with IGIHE, Wilson Rurangwa, Head of the Education Loan and Bursary Division at BRD, highlighted several challenges that have slowed down loan recovery.

One major issue involves employers who deduct loan repayments from employees’ salaries but fail to remit the funds to BRD.

'There are cases where employers, after being notified that an employee received a government loan, deduct the repayment amount but do not transfer it to BRD,' Rurangwa said. 'We have seen instances where this happened for four consecutive months.'

He also noted that some individuals remain listed as debtors despite having completed their repayments, usually due to administrative or reporting errors. In such cases, BRD encourages affected individuals to come forward with documentation so that any overpayments can be refunded.

Rurangwa further explained that some employers fail to properly declare the deducted payments to BRD, which results in loan balances appearing unpaid even though the funds were received.

'BRD cannot identify the payee unless the employer reports the transaction,' he emphasized. 'That’s why the law requires employers to always notify BRD when making deductions.'

An audit conducted by BRD across 28 major institutions operating in Rwanda revealed that none of them were fully compliant with regulations governing student loan repayment deductions.

These gaps, Rurangwa said, remain a key barrier to improving recovery rates and ensuring accountability in the system.

Since 2016, when BRD was officially mandated to manage and recover student loans, the institution has recovered a total of Frw 34.7 billion.

IGIHE

Following the formal presentation of the credentials, Amb. Bizimana conveyed a message from Rwandan President Paul Kagame and reaffirmed Rwanda’s firm commitment to strengthening the longstanding diplomatic relations between both countries.

He highlighted the growing collaboration between the two nations across various sectors, with particular emphasis on enhancing economic ties through increased trade, investment, and business partnerships, especially within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

President Diomaye Faye also expressed his appreciation for the strong and friendly relations between the two countries.

He warmly welcomed Amb. Bizimana, wished him success in his mission, and assured him of the full support of the Senegalese government during his tenure.

President Faye also requested the Ambassador to convey his cordial greetings and best wishes to President Kagame.

Rwanda opened its embassy in Senegal in May 2011. The diplomatic mission also oversees the country’s interests in Cabo Verde, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Mali.

Ambassador Festus Bizimana is Rwanda’s fourth envoy to Senegal, following in the footsteps of Gerard Ntwari, Mathias Harebamungu, and Jean Pierre Karabaranga.

President Diomaye Faye also expressed his appreciation for the strong and friendly relations between the two countries.

The ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace in Dakar, the capital city.

Amb. Bizimana has presented credentials to represent Rwanda in Senegal.

Following the formal presentation of the credentials, Amb. Bizimana conveyed a message from Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

IGIHE

The AU Mission in South Sudan, the UN Mission in South Sudan, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, an East African bloc, and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, which monitors peace implementation, expressed concern about the rapid deterioration of the political and security situation across South Sudan.

“Ongoing air and ground attacks are leading to an alarming loss of life, property and civilian displacement, even as ethnically polarizing rhetoric and hate speech are rising. The targeting of humanitarian facilities is also unacceptable and must stop,” they said in a joint statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

The organizations said these escalations are fast eroding the confidence of communities and peace partners in the sincerity of the promise made by the parties not to return this country to war, and urged the leadership to recommit to a transparent, consensus-driven, and collaborative approach for lasting peace.

“They must reinvigorate visibly stalled peace implementation by addressing all grievances through an inclusive political dialogue,” they said.

The missions said inclusive political dialogue can be achieved through the release of First Vice President Riek Machar and other opposition officials and members currently under detention, as well as by creating an enabling environment to reconvene and resource inclusive institutions and mechanisms provided for under the peace deal.

This photo shows the aerial view of Juba, the capital city of South Sudan. UN and AU have urged warring parties in South Sudan to embrace dialogue

Xinhua

This traditional signal indicates a successful vote, where a candidate secured the required two-thirds majority—out of the 133 voting cardinals—during the conclave.

Joyful cheers erupted from the crowds filling St. Peter’s Square as the white smoke, a sign of a successful vote, appeared.

The identity of the new Pope will be revealed in the traditional ceremony from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, when a senior cardinal announces “Habemus papam!”—”We have a pope!”

Following this announcement, the cardinal will share the newly elected Pope’s birth name in Latin and the papal name he has chosen.

The new Pope is then expected to make his first public appearance on the balcony, delivering his blessing to the faithful below.

White smoke has emerged from the Sistine Chapel chimney, confirming the selection of a new Pope to lead the Roman Catholic Church.

Théophile Niyitegeka

The SADC forces entered eastern DRC under the SAMIDRC mandate, officially on a so-called peacekeeping mission. But in practice, they aligned themselves with the Congolese government and the FDLR—a militia notorious for its role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and its ongoing efforts to destabilize Rwanda.

Intelligence reports confirmed that the joint forces’ base was not only used for operations against M23 but also served as a command post for planning attacks against Rwanda—despite the fact that Rwanda is not linked to M23’s cause, even though some foreign actors have tried to force that narrative.

While these troops claimed their objective was to neutralize M23, their posture, movements, and equipment on the ground suggested a broader readiness for confrontation—including with Rwanda. Long-range missiles were reportedly positioned near the Rwandan border, aimed in Rwanda’s direction.

Despite all of this, when these forces were defeated and needed to exit Congolese territory, Rwanda acted with maturity. The very country they had once viewed as a threat facilitated their safe withdrawal. Rwanda provided a secure and humane corridor—via Rubavu, the very town they had shelled, to Rusumo. It could have refused.

It could have insisted on logistical delays or demanded security reviews. But it didn’t. Rwanda’s tragic past has taught it the true cost of hardship—and that’s why, wherever support is needed, the answer is a resounding yes. That’s why the request from the TCCs in SAMIDRC for the safe withdrawal of their defeated soldiers was honored. Both the troops and their equipment are being escorted until they safely exit Rwandan territory.

There was no official statement of thanks. No acknowledgment from the SADC bloc. Just silence—as if Rwanda’s gesture were an expected obligation rather than an exceptional act of regional solidarity. I watched the media briefing organized by the Ministry of Defence of South Africa in collaboration with the SANDF this Sunday, but it ended without even a mention of Rwanda’s vital contribution to the ongoing repatriation, which is expected to conclude this month.

And yet, Rwanda’s role was critical. Goma’s airport had been rendered inoperable by those very forces. The surrounding terrain had been heavily mined by FARDC, FDLR, and allied troops in an effort to block M23—ironically putting SADC forces at even greater risk.

Without Rwanda’s cooperation, the withdrawal would likely have been nearly impossible, or at the very least, extremely costly. Some of their equipment might not have been evacuated at all. Yet, this crucial support is not acknowledged, with even a simple ‘thanks’ to Rwanda for its efforts and this moment reflects a broader trend of persistent ingratitude toward Rwanda.

For years, Rwanda has faced unfounded accusations and diplomatic hostility from both regional and international actors. Yet it continues to prioritize peace over provocation. It has facilitated the repatriation of foreign mercenaries—including those linked to European countries. But instead of appreciation, some actors have called for sanctions on Rwanda, often based on politically motivated or biased narratives.

The lack of recognition from SADC is not just an oversight—it reflects deeper insecurities within the region. Rwanda’s progress since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is remarkable by any standard.

In less than three decades, the country has rebuilt from devastation to become one of the most admired, stable, and efficient states on the continent. Its achievements in gender equality, anti-corruption, digital innovation, public health, and cleanliness are globally recognized.

Instead of learning from Rwanda’s model, some African governments remain trapped in outdated rivalries—resorting to sabotage, smear campaigns, or proxy warfare in an attempt to “cut Rwanda down to size.”

This destructive mindset has prevented them from showing gratitude to a nation that provided safe passage to their troops, who had been decisively defeated by rebels simply fighting for survival.

Rwanda has much to offer to any nation willing to learn: governance reforms, social cohesion policies, digital transformation models, community-based security frameworks, and more. Rwanda opens its arms to genuine learners and guests. But those who arrive with hostile intentions will be handled accordingly.

Africa cannot build a shared future with a divided mindset. We must begin to recognize and uplift success where it exists—not sabotage it. Rwanda’s resilience should be seen as a lesson, not a threat. It is time for African leadership, including within SADC, to act with the maturity the continent demands: acknowledge the truth, own past miscalculations, and give credit where it is due.

Gratitude is not weakness—it is a mark of strength, and of leadership.

Rwanda has already shown it.

Will SADC?

SADC troops were deployed in December 2023 to support the Congolese military against the AFC/M23 coalition

Irenga Mas

This was presented on May 8, 2025, by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, during the unveiling of the Budget Framework Paper (BFP) for the period 2025/26 to 2027/28.

The framework is aligned with the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Vision 2050, focusing on sustainable, inclusive development.

The proposed Frw7 trillion budget will support strategic national projects, including the ongoing construction of the New Kigali International Airport in Bugesera, the expansion of RwandAir, and post-crisis recovery initiatives related to COVID-19, May 2023 floods and Marburg disease outbreak.

To fund the budget, the government projects Frw 4,105.2 billion in domestic revenue, comprising Frw 3,628.0 billion in tax revenues and Frw 477.2 billion from other sources. It also expects Frw 585.2 billion in external grants and Frw 2,151.9 billion in loans.

Spending will be split between Frw 4,395.1 billion for recurrent expenses—including salaries and operational costs—and Frw 2,637.4 billion for capital investments that support long-term development.

The full budget for 2025/26 is expected to be formally presented to Parliament in June 2025.

Minister Murangwa highlighted the country’s resilience and growth in the face of global challenges, noting that Rwanda’s economy grew by 8.9% in 2024, surpassing earlier projections of 8.3%.

'Rwanda’s growth momentum remains strong, despite a challenging environment caused by climate change effects, global inflation, geopolitical tensions, trade wars, among other factors. Our economic recovery has been resilient.

'The Government remains committed to maintaining macroeconomic stability and fostering inclusive growth by investing in key areas such as agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, social protection, and education,' he stated.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, during the unveiling of the Budget Framework Paper (BFP) for the period 2025/26 to 2027/28.

Théophile Niyitegeka

Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Russia from May 7 to 10 at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin and will attend the celebrations marking Great Patriotic War Victory.

Historians seldom completely agree with one another even on some of the most important events of the past. There are different views on various historical events such as World War II (WWII).

With new documents being declassified and new excavations at the sites of the main battles, we are likely to see new theories and hypotheses emerging that will feed more discussions and offer contrarian narratives of the most devastating military conflict in the history of humanity.

However, there is a clear red line between looking for new facts and deliberately trying to falsify history. The former is a noble quest for truth and understanding, while the latter is a deplorable attempt to revise past events in favor of political goals or personal ambitions.

An honest scholar entering a research project cannot be completely sure what will be found at the end of the road; an unscrupulous politician presenting a falsified version of history knows perfectly well what picture to present to the target audience. Truth is skillfully mixed with lies, while fabrications are dissolved in real facts to make the picture more credible and attractive.

The most graphic manifestation of the WWII falsifications is the now very popular assertion that Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union were jointly responsible for the beginning of the war.

The narrative equating Nazis and Soviets is nonsensical because it completely ignores the history of fascism in Europe and repeated attempts by Moscow to convince London, Paris and Warsaw to form an alliance against it. Only after the “Munich Betrayal” by the West, the 1938 pact among Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy that forced Czechoslovakia to cede territory to Germany without Czechoslovakian consent, did Moscow decide to go for a non-aggression treaty with Germany to buy itself time before invasion.

Likewise, the dominant Western narrative of WWII increasingly frames the conflict as a stark moral battle between good and evil. As a result, there is a growing reluctance to fully acknowledge the pivotal roles that Russia and China played in the defeat of Nazi Germany and militarist Japan.

Neither do they recognize the contributions of communist-led resistance movements in countries like France, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Greece. This is largely due to ideological biases that exclude these groups from the dominant narrative of “heroic liberal forces” in the fight against the Axis nations, the coalition led by Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Instead, the predominant view in most Western countries credits the U.S. as the primary force behind victory, along with limited support from other allies. This reading of WWII has nothing to do with reality, but it nicely fits the now popular Manichean interpretation of world politics.

Another typical distortion of history is the selective portrayal of the victims of the war, often shaped by a distinctly Eurocentric perspective. Much attention is given to the atrocities endured by Europeans under Nazi occupation or by Europeans in Asia at the hands of the Japanese, while the immense suffering of non-European populations frequently receives far less recognition.

Every human life is of equal value, and all victims deserve empathy. Even those who served in the German and Japanese armed forces during WWII should not be indiscriminately labeled as criminals; the notion of “collective guilt” must not override the principle of individual responsibility for verifiable war crimes.

However, it is often overlooked in contemporary Western discourse that the Soviet Union and China suffered the heaviest human cost of WWII — with casualties reaching 27 million and 35 million, respectively. A significant portion of these losses were civilians, and the scale and brutality of wartime atrocities committed on Soviet and Chinese territories far exceeded those experienced in most other regions.

Contemporary politics inevitably shapes how we interpret the past, as people often seek historical narratives that align with their present-day beliefs and agendas. Yet history should be approached with integrity, not as a tool to justify current political positions. This is not about defending national pride or preserving comforting myths; every nation, regardless of size or wealth, carries both moments of honor and episodes of regret in its historical journey. A balanced national narrative includes both triumphs and failures.

But when history is deliberately manipulated to serve short-term political interests, we risk blurring our understanding of the present and undermining our vision for the future. Such willful distortion is not only intellectually dishonest but could also lead to grave consequences.

The Red Square in Moscow, Russia, March 17, 2023. /Xinhua

Andrey Kortunov