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80th anniversary of the great victory over Nazism

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By Vladimir Zheltov, Ambassador of Russia to Kuwait

80 years have passed since the end of the Great Patriotic War. This is how we, in Russia, call the period of World War II from Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, until Germany’s eventual defeat and capitulation on May 9, 1945. Since then, several generations have passed and the political map of the globe has changed drastically. The Soviet Union, which made a decisive contribution to the victory over Nazism and saved the world from the “brown plague” of fascism, no longer exists.

For many people nowadays the events of that war are but a distant past. However, it left a deep mark in the historical memory of our nation. The war affected literally every Russian family. Our common responsibility before the past and future generations is to do everything in our power to prevent such terrible tragedies from recurring. World War II did not break out suddenly and unexpectedly overnight. It was a result of many tendencies and factors in the global politics of that historical period. What predetermined the greatest tragedy in human history was Germany’s revanchism being a consequence of its humiliation in the aftermath of World War I as well as state egoism of European powers. 

The latter tried to placate the rising aggressor and encourage him to push eastward. Now it is well known what the Western policy of appeasement has led to. Against this background, until the last moment the Soviet Union attempted to form anti-Hitler coalition. However, due to actions of the Western countries, the USSR alone had to face the Nazi Germany and its satellites. The dreams of global superiority led to the outbreak of World War II in September 1939. On the eve of Germany’s invasion of the USSR in June 1941, almost all of Europe was under the boot of the Third Reich.

Meanwhile, economies and resources of the occupied countries were put to the service of the German war machine. Its attack on the USSR was only a matter of time. For the Soviet Union that war did not come as a surprise, our country had been expecting and preparing for it. However, the onslaught was of an unprecedented and destructive force. We confronted the strongest army in the world of that time, supported by the industrial potential of almost all of Europe.

When Nazi Germany (the German Wehrmacht) invaded the Soviet Union during World War II, troops from other European countries that were allied with or controlled by Germany also participated in the invasion. The aggressors’ hopes for a quick victory over the Soviet Union in the so-called “blitzkrieg” turned into four years of war on the eastern front. It was there that the backbone of the German military machine was broken and the war rolled back to where it had come from. The Soviet people, having suffered heavy losses at the beginning, turned the tide of war in the course of the epic Battle of Stalingrad (autumn of 1942 – winter of 1943). From then on the eastern front was moving only westwards.

After driving the invaders away from its territory, the Red Army subsequently liberated half of Europe from fascism. In May 1945, the ideas of global domination were buried in Berlin. For Europe, World War II ended with the signing of the act of capitulation of German troops. It happened just before midnight on May 8, according to Berlin time, while in Moscow it was already the early morning of May 9th. This day went down in our common history as Victory Day.

Eighty years later we must not forget that it was the Soviet Union and its Red Army that made the key contribution to the defeat of Nazism. Three quarters of the military potential of Nazi Germany and subjugated European countries were pitted against the USSR. At the same time, fascists’ losses on the Eastern Front amounted to 78 percent of their total casualties. It is worth recalling that our allies opened the “second front” in Normandy only in June 1944 – less than a year before the end of World War II.

The victory came at a high price. The Soviet Union lost 27 million of its sons and daughters. The majority of them were civilians who perished due to bombings, famine, and diseases. Millions of our citizens died in Nazi concentration camps. It is our common duty to remember all of these victims. That is the heavy price of the Great Victory over fascism. And this is why Victory Day is a sacred holiday for the Russians and other peoples of the former Soviet Union.

At the same time, we value the contribution of allies who fought along with us with a mutual goal of defeating Nazi Germany and its satellites. Unfortunately, the recent generation of Western elites deliberately forgets about our alliance and cooperation. Along with the great European tragedy, we should also remember the broad Asian expanse engulfed by World War II. We pay tribute to the resistance of the Chinese people, who played a great role in defeating the Japanese militarism — yet another ally of Nazi Germany. The colossal sacrifices they made for the sake of liberation have not been forgotten. Nowadays, we regret to see the persistent efforts to rewrite the history of World War II and to belittle the Soviet Union’s decisive contribution to the victory over fascism. Besides, attempts are made to rehabilitate Nazi collaborators. The underlying reasons are short historical memory and unlearned lessons of the past.

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Iran Embassy opens condolence book to honor victims of Zionist aggression

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KUWAIT: The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kuwait opened a condolence book, on Monday, to honor the victims of the recent aggression against Iran. The event was attended by officials, ambassadors, and media. Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait Mohammad Toutounchi expressed his appreciation for the positions of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, especially Kuwait, regarding the recent events, noting that Kuwait’s Foreign Minister had called his Iranian counterpart in a gesture that reflects the strength of bilateral relations, describing the presence of ambassadors at the embassy as “Noteworthy and Positive.”

The ambassador said in a statement that his country endured twelve days of intense aggression by the Zionist entity, joined by the United States in the final two days, explaining that Iran faced simultaneous attacks from countries equipped with nuclear capabilities and advanced technology, backed by NATO. He emphasized that the planners of this aggression had expected Iran to collapse within days. However, “The unity of the Iranian people inside and outside the country formed a formidable barrier.” He added that US intervention came only after ten days of failed efforts to achieve any ground breakthrough.

Toutounchi revealed that the number of victims exceeded 620 martyrs, with more than 5,356 wounded, including 13 children and 43 women, some of whom were pregnant, adding “Seven hospitals, six health centers, and dozens of ambulances were destroyed. These martyrs cannot be replaced whether they were children, military leaders, or academics, calling for the Zionist entity and the United States to be held accountable before international bodies to prevent such crimes from recurring.

Regarding Iran’s nuclear program, the ambassador reiterated Iran’s commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), pointing out that the country’s nuclear program, which represents less than 3 percent of global peaceful nuclear activities, has undergone over 23 percent of international inspections. He argued that this high inspection rate indicates no deviation toward military objectives.

He disclosed that Iran had recently agreed to five rounds of indirect negotiations aimed at reviving the diplomatic track and ensuring the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. He also stressed that Iran’s response against US military and intelligence bases in Qatar was a legitimate act of self-defense and was not directed at any neighboring countries, affirming Iran’s full respect for their sovereignty. He noted that Iran had communicated with Qatari leadership to clarify its position, stating that military bases in neighboring countries used by US forces cannot be considered safe havens for launching attacks.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Ambassador to Kuwait Al-Manhal Al-Safi expressed his deep gratitude to Kuwait’s leadership, government, and people for facilitating the return of over 3,000 stranded Iraqi citizens by issuing more than 3,500 transit visas in just 12 days. The Iraqi ambassador affirmed his country’s full solidarity with Iran and condemned the aggression, revealing that Zionist aircraft had breached Iraqi airspace, prompting Baghdad to file an official complaint with the UN Security Council.

In the same context, the Sudanese Ambassador to Kuwait Awadal-Karim Al-Rayah Balla offered his condolences to Iran, describing the incident as “A blatant and unacceptable attack.” He called for regional unity to confront shared challenges, emphasizing that the targeting of Iran threatens all free peoples in the region. He urged a joint response to protect stability and to revive the Palestinian cause as a priority. The Sudanese envoy also pointed to the double standards in the international system, calling for crises to be addressed through international legitimacy rather than the imposition of forceful agendas.

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Exit permit now mandatory for expat workers

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KUWAIT: A decision mandating expatriates working in the private sector to obtain an exit permit with the prior approval of their employers comes into effect on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Employees need to apply through the Sahel app or the Public Authority of Manpower’s website. The employer must then approve the request online before the authority issues the permit. The decision applies to private sector employees who have residency under article 18. Those who have article 19 residency – self-sponsored – are not required to obtain the exit permit.

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410 students benefit from Educational Care Bank project

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KUWAIT: Al-Safa Charitable Society announced that 410 students across various educational stages have benefited from the Educational Care Bank project for the 2024-2025 academic year. The initiative, implemented in collaboration with the General Secretariat of Endowments, provided a total of KD 100,000 (approximately $330,000) in educational support within Kuwait. Chairman of Al-Safa’s Board of Directors Mohammad Al-Shaya said in a press statement on Monday that the project reflects a shared commitment to supporting future generations by creating an educational environment free from financial obstacles. He emphasized that the initiative also aims to alleviate the financial burden faced by low-income families amid ongoing economic challenges.

Al-Shaya praised the General Secretariat of Endowments for its continued sponsorship of impactful and innovative projects that serve the community, particularly those focused on education. He noted that the Secretariat’s support for this program underscores its strong belief in education as a cornerstone for societal advancement and sustainable development. He added that Al-Safa Charitable Society, through this partnership, seeks to nurture a knowledgeable and responsible generation capable of contributing meaningfully to national development. The project, he explained, targets students who face difficulty in paying tuition fees, reaffirming the association’s belief in the right to education for all—without discrimination or financial barriers. — KUNA

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