On May 7, Pavol Slota, Chairman of the Party “DOMOV – Narodna Strana”, the Slovak Republic, met RANEPA St. Petersburg students.

The visit marked the 80th Anniversary of the Victory Day and continued cooperation with Slovak politicians started a year earlier.

Students at the Faculties of International Relations and Politics, Security and Customs, Social Technologies had a unique opportunity to receive first-hand information about the current political situation in Europe and globally.

Preserving historical memory and preventing world historical events distortion were also highlighted in the open discussion.

“Events in the world seem to remind a spiral of repeating events, which means that the most of us have not learned lessons. In my opinion, it is necessary to do everything possible to preserve the historical memory of nations, that is currently threatened by the distortion of historical facts. We need to show people, even young people, the true nature of war, what it is…

…My generation was lucky, we were able to grow up in peace, but at the same time, as children, we lived with the survivors of World War I, and as adults, we are contemporaries of the heroes of World War II…

We have witnessed history first-hand, and today true information is more accessible than ever before. I am always happy when I see tributes to veterans of World War II and Victory Day celebrations, whether in Russia or at home, in Slovakia.

We must keep this tradition, we must take care of our veterans, talk about them and respect them!”

Pavol Slota, Chairman of the Party “DOMOV – Narodna Strana”, the Slovak Republic

Our students shared:

The meeting was quite symbolic and meaningful. The students had the opportunity to ask questions to a prominent representative of the new European right, whose movement is currently “on the rise” in Europe. Of course, we received detailed, clear answers to all our questions, which give confidence in the existence of true European politicians and leaders acting exclusively in the interests of their own nation and country, and not “someone else’s” ones

Arkhip Kostenkov, a second-year student in International Relations

Slovakia is an important partner in Central Europe, advocating restoring partner relations with the Russian Federation. Even at the university level, such meetings strengthen mutual understanding between the two nations and give hope for warm relations in the future. As a Chairman of International Relations Student Scientific Society, I express my gratitude for the constructive dialogue and useful advices to us as future diplomats.

Anastasia Teslenko, a third-year student in International Relations

This initiative is a valuable step to strengthen the international ties of the Presidential Academy in St. Petersburg.