US, Russia say they are building partnership for a stable world

WASHINGTON, (KUNA) -- US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dimitry Medvedev issued a joint statement on Sunday affirming their partnership and commemorating the meeting of Soviet and American troops at the Elbe River.

"April 25, 2010 marks the 65th anniversary of the legendary meeting of Soviet and American troops at the Elbe River, which became a striking symbol of the brotherhood-in-arms between our nations during World War II", said the joint statement.

"We pay tribute to the courage of those who fought together to liberate Europe from fascism. Their heroic feat will forever remain in the grateful memory of mankind", it added.

At the end of World War II in 1945, German troops were caught between Western allies advancing from the West and the Soviet Union approaching from the east, before the two forces linked up on Elbe River.

"The atmosphere of mutual trust and shared commitment to victory, which accompanied the historic handshake at the Elbe, is especially called for today when Russia and the United States are building a partnership for the sake of a stable and prosperous world", noted Obama and Medvedev.

"We are convinced that, acting in the "spirit of the Elbe" on an equitable and constructive basis, we can successfully tackle any tasks facing our nations and effectively deal with the challenges of the new millennium", concluded the statement.