According to the official reports, the U. S. and Russian presidents Sunday honored the 65th anniversary of the meeting of U. S. and Soviet troops at the Elbe River during World War II.

U. S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in a joint statement on Sunday, "April 25, 2010, marks the 65th anniversary of the legendary meeting of Soviet and American troops at the Elbe River, which became a striking symbol of the brotherhood-in-arms between our nations during World War II."

"We pay tribute to the courage of those who fought together to liberate Europe from fascism. Their heroic feat will forever remain in the grateful memory of mankind.”

The joint statement further said, "The atmosphere of mutual trust and shared commitment to victory, which accompanied the historic handshake at the Elbe, is especially called for today when Russia and the United States are building a partnership for the sake of a stable and prosperous world. We are convinced that, acting in the "spirit of the Elbe" on an equitable and constructive basis, we can successfully tackle any tasks facing our nations and effectively deal with the challenges of the new millennium." (With Inputs from Agencies)