MOSCOW. Jan 31 (Interfax) - United States Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan has said he has no new information at this point regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's possible visit to Russia on May 9.
"I don't have any news for you on a presidential visit," Sullivan said in an interview with Interfax.
Russia has sent invitations to a large number of foreign leaders, including Trump, to Moscow to watch the May 9 parade on Red Square to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
The U.S. president has already said that he appreciates such an invitation, but has not announced his final decision thus far.
The U.S. "is preparing to mark many notable anniversaries this year related to the end of World War Two," Sullivan said.
"While Victory Day in Europe unquestionably represents a significant historical milestone, the United States' significant role in the global conflict did not cease on May 8 (or May 9!). The war in the Pacific raged on for almost four more months. So much was lost, and so much must be remembered," he said.
"Cooperation between the United States and our allies during the Second World War is an important historical fact," Sullivan said.
"The United States recognizes the immense sacrifice of the peoples of the Soviet Union, and of so many other nations, during those long years. The war was horrific, but it showed how we can work together to achieve a common goal. The Lend-Lease program demonstrated the value of working together to bring in much-needed supplies and equipment," he said.
"American and Soviet soldiers pushed forward to meet each other at the Elbe to help liberate Europe. On a people-to-people level, American citizens across the United States collected materials and books to restock libraries and schools in the Soviet Union that had been looted during the war," Sullivan said.
The full version of Sullivan's interview will be available at www.interfax.com.