- by Vinnie Molina
- The Guardian
- Issue #2145
The Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) hosted the Second international anti-fascist forum in Moscow on 22-24 April 2025.
Some 400 delegates from 91 countries discussed the very real and current danger of neo-fascism and neo-Nazism that threatens peace and security once again the world over.
It is now clear that despite the defeat of Nazi-fascism in 1945 there has been a resurgence and it is looking for revenge for that defeat. Communist, left and progressive forces must come together to defeat Nazi-fascism again.
Most of the contributions from delegates discussed the neo-colonial efforts to dominate poorer countries; the taking of their resources and in many cases imposing governments that represent monopoly interests. In the case of Israel, this has meant attempted genocide of the entire Palestinian people.
In pursuing a policy of Greater Israel it is now expanding its military attacks in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and openly threatens Iran.
The 77-year occupation of Palestine and the genocidal war on its people has endorsement and military and financial support from US imperialism.
Delegates to the forum adopted an appeal unanimously pledging to denounce and fight fascism wherever it surfaces in the world.
LENIN TURNS 155
As part of the activities of the anti-fascist forum delegates celebrated Lenin’s 155th birthday. A visit to Red Square was a highlight. The impressive view of this very special part of Moscow was a reminder of the Soviet era. Delegates laid red carnations at the unknown soldier monument and later visited Lenin’s mausoleum.
Delegates, young and old, were moved by the visit feeling the same inspiration that those who met him at the age of 53 might have felt. His influence remains, and the feeling I felt hadn’t changed since my visit to the mausoleum 40 years ago.
The city and the people have changed very much and I couldn’t help but wonder what Lenin would think if he was with us today. There are many people in Moscow who work every day for the rebuilding of socialism as the only alternative for their country and the planet. Delegates also laid flowers on the tombs of other Soviet leaders like comrade Stalin and others who rest alongside the Kremlin.
CITY PREPARATIONS
We witnessed a city that appears normal despite being the most sanctioned country in the world. A country that is at war but with its people still carrying on with their daily lives as best they can. These people love their country.
As Russia prepares to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the defeat of nazi-fascism during World War II; posters, flags and murals adorn shop fronts, streets and train stations. Everyone delegates spoke to had a story to tell. The Soviet people lost 27 million people during the Great Patriotic War. Every single family was touched by their sacrifice.
During the visit to the Victory Museum, one of the guides was moved to tears when describing the sacrifice of the Soviet people in defence of the homeland and the liberation of the people from the Nazi invaders. The siege of Leningrad and Moscow were events of remarkable heroism; the people resisted and ultimately defeated the Nazi-fascist armies.
Delegates also visited impressive museums and exhibition centres where we could see advances in high tech and the economy.
It is important to note that this powerful country was built and rebuilt by socialism. Russia today has become a superpower on the base created and built by the Soviet people and socialism.
On 9 May several heads of state gathered in Moscow to commemorate the 80th anniversary despite the threats to the visitors issued by Zelensky and the daily drone attacks carried out by the Ukrainian army in violation of the Victory Day ceasefire enacted by President Putin.
Group photo of Forum attendees.
A TALE OF TWO VISITS
Moscow is a beautiful city with some of the most attractive architecture. The river and other attractions are busy with local people working or simply enjoying themselves.
The metro continues to be one of the best in the world with stations full of murals and art. It is comfortable with thousands of passengers every day in this city of 13 million people.
The parks are beautiful and well kept. One special park is the Kaluzhskaya Garden Square where the tallest statute of Lenin was erected in November 1985.
This visit brought back many memories for me. This was my first visit to Russia, but the second to Moscow. The first visit was to the Soviet Union in May 1986 during the last Komsomol congress. Many things have changed; of interest is to compare a city during socialism and how capitalism has changed it.
The current generation might not have socialism on their minds, having never experienced it, but they still enjoy the benefits of the state left behind from the socialist time. Delegates were inspired by the number of young people volunteering during the event, many as CPRF members or sympathisers that looked after the delegations during the event. People who were in their 20s at the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union still feel proud of their past and continue the fight for rebuilding the system that created the powerful country they enjoyed today.
PEACE AND SECURITY ARE THE FUTURE
The future cannot be war. Russia is fighting a proxy war not with Ukraine but the entire West. The conflict in Ukraine didn’t start four years ago. It is a process that began in 2014. It has been more than 10 years during which US and NATO expansionism crossed the red lines and threatened the country’s security.
Peace requires common security and that the root causes of the conflict be resolved. The solution to the conflict has to be through negotiations and in the best interests of both peoples. However, the Special Military Operation is gaining momentum and it could deliver a military defeat as happened 80 years ago.
Before delegates departed back to their countries, they thanked the Communist Party of the Russian Federation for hosting the event. We personally thanked CPRF leader comrade Gennady Zyuganov for his meaningful contributions to the event during the opening and closing ceremonies. We look forward to visiting Moscow again in the near future, hopefully in times of peace and collective security.
THE WAY FORWARD
Delegates joined the discussion on the future. There was a firmly held belief by many that socialism is the only way forward for humanity.
The Russian people inherited a country built from the sacrifices of an entire people, the Soviet people.
It was refreshing to see young generations of Russian people curious about the history of their country.
Despite some earlier attempts to bury the great legacy of the first workers state it lives on in the minds and hearts of those who strove for a different type of society.
Today, many museums about the history of the Soviet Union and their advances welcome children who can learn about their past. This is an important factor in the development of historic memory.
Socialism or barbarism!
Bust of Lenin.
