The Moscow House of Nationalities hosted a landmark round table titled “Outcomes of World War II and the Collapse of the Global Colonial System”, bringing together diplomats, scholars, and cultural figures to reflect on the geopolitical legacy of WWII and its influence on global decolonization efforts.
Organized by the Commission on Public Security and People’s Diplomacy of the Council on Nationalities under the Moscow Government, the event marked the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War and formed part of the patriotic project “Heirs of Russian Military Glory.”
The round table was held in partnership with Lomonosov Moscow State University’s Russian-African Club, the Public Diplomacy Foundation, and the United Center for Business Cooperation of the SCO Business Communities Association, reflecting a growing emphasis on cultural and educational cooperation between Russia and African nations.
Key Themes and Discussions
Chairing the event, Alexander F. Berdnikov, who also serves as Executive Secretary of MSU’s Russian-African Club, stressed the importance of resisting historical revisionism and reinforcing Russia’s role as the legal successor of the USSR. He linked the wartime victory with Russia’s modern-day commitment to international stability and multipolarity.
Sergey S. Anufrienko, Director of the Moscow House of Nationalities, highlighted the global scale of the Allied triumph over fascism, which he said ignited a wave of anti-colonial movements across Africa and Asia.
Other speakers tackled wide-ranging themes including:
The Yalta-Potsdam framework and Soviet leadership in defeating the Axis powers.
Colonial contributions from Asia and Africa to the anti-fascist cause.
Russia’s modern-day partnership with African nations in education, culture, and diplomacy.
Proposals for a joint Russian-African Commission on Military History.
Strengthening the International Peacebuilding Organization to counter the spread of neo-Nazi ideologies.
Prominent Voices
Key participants included Nikolai Platoshkin, historian and former diplomat; Mikhail Yakushev from Russia’s Foreign Ministry; Inga Koryagina, a UN development expert; and Igor Krugovykh, Deputy Chair of the Council on Nationalities.
Major Outcomes
The round table concluded with an appeal to the Russian State Duma to honor African combatants who fought in Allied forces and resistance movements across Europe. There was a strong push for broader cooperation among BRICS, SCO, ASEAN, and CELAC in line with President Putin’s vision of a Greater Eurasian Partnership.
The event reaffirmed Russia’s dedication to preserving the historical truth of WWII, supporting African sovereignty, and resisting emerging forms of neo-fascism and historical erasure.
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