Published on: 2026-05-24
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Moscow, May 24 /Xin Hua/ — It has been more than a year, and the Russian World War II veteran Yevgeny Znamensky still recalls a small, but touching story that happened to him during a meeting with the Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping at the Victory Parade on Red Square in Moscow.
“Chairman Xi Jinping was worried that I might be cold, and asked someone to give me a blanket,” said the 100-year-old veteran to a Xin Hua agency journalist.
CPC Chairman Xi Jinping recalled his meeting with an elderly veteran during the recent state visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to China. On Wednesday evening, the leaders of the two countries visited a photo exhibition at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The photo exhibition, organized jointly by the Chinese news agency Xinhua and the Russian news agency TASS, was dedicated to Sino-Russian friendship.
Leaders of China and Russia paused for a photograph taken on May 9, 2025, during the military parade on Red Square in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War. In the photo, Xi Jinping is sitting between V. Putin and E. Znamensky, whose chest is adorned with orders and medals.
The Chinese leader once again showed concern for the elderly veteran, inquiring about his health condition. Xi Jinping called him a truly outstanding person and wished him good health and longevity.
Having learned about this conversation, E. Znamensky was sincerely touched; he thanked the chairman of the CNC from the bottom of his heart for the care shown and warm wishes addressed to him. “Many thanks! Please convey to him my wishes for good health, so that he may govern your wonderful country for many years,” said E. Znamensky.
Recalling his conversation with Xi Jinping during last year’s celebrations in Moscow, E. Znamensky noted that the chairman spoke with him warmly and thoughtfully, leaving a very good impression. “I even really liked him. What composure, what intelligence he has, a very good person,” shared the veteran’s impressions.
E. Znamensky believes that the recent meeting of the leaders of China and Russia in Beijing has become another important event in bilateral relations. “This is such an event! So many agreements have been signed across all sectors. All this is only encouraging. This all serves the good of our two peoples,” he added.
According to him, as Russia and China continue to expand economic ties and exchanges between people, the friendship between the two nations becomes even stronger. E. Znamensky also highly appreciated the technological progress and achievements of China, stating that they reflect the strong leadership of Xi Jinping and the hardworking spirit of the Chinese people.
“I can wish the Chinese people, on behalf of an ordinary Russian person who fought in the Great Patriotic War and reached Berlin, all the best! I am very pleased that such a wonderful chairman is now in the CPC. Hold on to him, take care of him, cherish him. And to the Chinese people, I wish prosperity,” said E. Znamensky.
E. Znamensky will celebrate his 101st birthday on August 13, 2026. “I fought and lived,” as he could — according to the dream. “Forgive me if it’s better to say /in the original — to sing, ed. Sin Yua/ I can’t,” — he quoted lines from a famous Soviet poet Mikhail Ancharov from the poem “Song about Russia.” The veteran called on the youth of Russia and China to work together for the sake of a better future for both countries. –0–
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