One of the greatest struggles in the history of mankind ended 60 years ago today – May 7, 1945 – when German forces signed the final documents of an unconditional surrender at Gen. Dwight Eisenhower’s headquarters.

The surrender did not take effect until 11:01 p.m., May 8, which from then on was marked as V-E Day, for “Victory in Europe.” Russia celebrates the end of the war in Europe on May 9, when German forces capitulated to Soviet Marshal George Zhukov.

President Bush will mark the day with a visit to the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margaret, the Netherlands. Row upon row of white crosses adorn the 65-acre cemetery, where 8,301 American soldiers are buried. Many fell nearby. Another 1,723 names of missing Americans are recorded in the Court of Honor.

On Monday, the president is scheduled to visit Russia and celebrate “Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War.” More than 27 million Russians died during World War II.

The tragedy and triumph of the war shaped Europe for the next 50 years and lingers today.

The scars of the occupation by Soviet forces of Baltic countries is difficult to reconcile with the celebration of the end of fighting. Even today, a nominally democratic Russia has refused to recognize its part in the oppression of its smaller neighbors.

President Bush was right to raise the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putting. At the same time, he’s also right to pay respects to an ally without which the outcome of World War II would have been uncertain.

The president’s tone is right. We must remember the great victory and acknowledge the failures that allowed millions to fall under the rule of a totalitarian, communist Soviet Union.