80 Years of World War II
World War II commemoration with Russian ambassador and Buhrfufen
As every year, the handshake of Soviet and American soldiers was reminded of the Elbe in Torgau in 1945. But this time the commemoration of dispute was overlaid.
In a world war commemoration in Torgau an der Elbe, Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer confronted the Russian ambassador to Moscow’s war against Ukraine with clear words. It was due to Russia to end this war, said the CDU politician at the diplomat Sergei Netschajew. Despite the dispute over his participation, he had come to the commemoration, which was reminiscent of the meeting of American and Soviet troops at the end of World War II 80 years ago.
Kretschmer warned that “never war again” was the message of Torgau. With a view to the Russian ambassador, he said: “It was Russia that started war against Ukraine in violation of international law.” Not only with the major attack on the entire Ukraine, but as early as 2014 when the Black Sea Peninsula was occupied.
Building for the Prime Minister
“And it is due to Russia, only to Russia, to end this war,” said the CDU politician. For this, Kretschmer received some boos from the approximately 200 listeners.
On April 25, 1945, Soviet and American soldiers met on the Elbe, who then fought as allies against Nazi Germany. Every year the so -called Elbe Day is reminded.
Against the background of the Ukraine War, Netschajews had previously taken care of controversy – as was his visit to a memory on the Seelower heights in Brandenburg last week. Netschajew did not have a right to speak at the event in Torgau. “Today we have to remember the fallen soldiers,” said the diplomat surrounded by journalists and citizens in German. “The day is very important for us.” He left a wreath – as accompanied by several Russian military members – as well as the messages of France or Belarus.
Dispute over participation in memorial events
The Ukrainian ambassador Oleksii Makeieev had called for shortly beforehand to prevent the announced participation of the Russian. The city of Torgau had made it clear that it did not explicitly invited the ambassador, but also did not prevent his participation in the public commemoration.
The Federal Foreign Office recommended that the federal government and the federal government’s municipalities and memorials to be admitted to no Russian guests at memorial events. This was justified with the fear that Russia could “instrumentalize these events and to combine his attack war against Ukraine”.
Netschajew answered the question of what he said that he was not welcome: “I don’t feel that. I feel comfortable.” In addition to the fact that he got no right to speak, he said: “We have the opportunity to take note of our position.” At the lapel he wore the so-called Sankt Georgs band, which traditionally considered a sign of memory of the German-Soviet war, but has been criticized since the Russian attack war against Ukraine as a symbol of Russian propaganda.
Controversy began with commemoration on the Seelower heights
The controversy had started participating in Netschajews last week at the memorial event on the Seelower Höhen east of Berlin. The greatest battle of the Second World War had taken place on German soil 80 years ago. The Ukrainian ambassador Makeiev had sharply criticized Netschajews: “Anyone who takes part in the commemoration with him can be instrumentalized and relativized Russia today’s war crimes.”
The recommendation of the external office has not led to a uniform line of the federal, state and municipalities. For example, the Bundestag Netschajew excluded from the central commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of the war in parliament on May 8, and the Brandenburg Memorial Foundation does not allow Russian representatives at the end of the World War II. However, it was decided differently in Seelow and in Torgau. Netschajew also traveled to another memorial event in Saxon Strehla on Friday.
“Night wolves” and woman with Russia flag
Immediately before the official commemoration began, rockers from the Russian-nationalist motorcycle club “Night Wolves” also came to the monument. They lay down wreaths and red carnations. In front of the motorcycles, a woman rode on a horse with a Russia flag.
The Ukrainian ambassador and the US general consul remained away from the event in Torgau. Kretschmer recalled that many Russians, but also Ukrainians, Belarussians and Georgians, fought their lives in the Red Army in World War II, but also Ukrainians, Belarussia and Georgians. “It would be more beautiful, reasonable if representatives of Ukraine, Georgia or Belarus were with us,” he said. “The fact that they don’t come has to do with the presence of the Russian colleague.”
City of Strehla City of Torgau Further information
dpa
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
