Frank-Walter Steinmeier addresses severe allegations to Trump and Putin

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has called for the teachings from World War II and the Nazi dictatorship to consistently capture the teachings from World War II and the Nazi dictatorship. “We know where forcly leads to where aggressive nationalism leads to democratic institutions. So we have already lost democracy in Germany,” he said in a commemoration of the Bundestag at the end of the war 80 years ago. “Let’s trust in our experience! We stand for our values. We are not freezing now in anxiety! We prove self -assertion.”

Steinmeier emphasized that the 8th May 8th was the core of the all -German identity as a day of liberation. Today you no longer have to ask whether May 8th freed us. “But we ask: How can we stay free?”

The Federal President pointed out that the community of states, as a consequence of the war of extermination and genocide, had created an international order based on international law. This is also questioned by the United States today. The fascination of the authoritarian and populist temptation also gave room in Europe, doubts about democracy would be loud. And extremist forces strengthened in Germany.

Steinmeier sharply criticized US President Donald Trump, but without calling him by name. The fact that the United States of all people turned away from the international order, which they themselves had significantly shaped, is “a shock of new dimensions”.

The Federal President placed this in a direct connection to Russia’s raid on Ukraine. He spoke of a “double break” and emphasized: “The war of attack in Russia and the value of America, which marks the end of this long 20th century.”

“We have to do everything we can with our European partners to stop Putin’s land,” said Steinmeier. “If we left Ukraine protection and defenseless, that would mean revealing the teachings of May 8th.”

Steinmeier was concerned about growing extremist forces in his own country. He did not call the AfD directly. These forces mocked the institutions of democracy and their representatives, poisoned debates, played with the concerns of people, playing the business with fear and rushed people. “If you want good things for this country, you protect the coexistence, cohesion and peaceful balance of interests. I expect that from all democrats in this country,” said Steinmeier with long applause.

With a view to this passage in Steinmeier’s speech, AfD boss Tino Chrupalla told the German Press Agency: “We do not feel addressed as extremists. Nevertheless, you have to say that the Federal President has abused this day in some passages of his speech here.” It was inappropriate that Steinmeier attacked the Americans. The speech was not worthy of a Federal President.

Steinmeier’s urgent warning also aimed against wanting to draw a “so -called final line under our history and our responsibility” against the AfD. He was surprised by the persistence with which some – “unfortunately also in this house” – demanded this. “We do not flee from our history. We don’t throw your teachings overboard, especially if they demand something. That would be cowardly and wrong at the same time.”

Bundestag president Julia Klöckner also took up this aspect to open the commemoration. “To date, not everyone is aware of the outrageous extent of the German crimes,” she said. “Or worse: Many don’t want to deal with it anymore. To counteract this tendency – the memory on May 8th also serves.”

The Second World War, unleashed by Hitler-Germany, demanded between 50 and over 60 million fatalities worldwide, the majority of them, of which. The Soviet Union met with around 27 million deaths. Germany lost about 6.3 million people, including many soldiers.

The war in Europe ended with the unconditional surrender of the German Wehrmacht, which came into force on May 8, 1945. Previously, British and American troops had occupied large parts of Germany from the west and Soviet soldiers from the east in losses. Many Ukrainians also fought in the ranks of the Red Army.

The championship certificate was signed twice-once in the French Reims and then again in the Soviet headquarters in Berlin-Karlshorst. It was already in Moscow after midnight, which is why Russia sees May 9th as the day of surrender.

The diplomats represented in Germany were also invited to the event in the Bundestag’s plenary hall, but not the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus. They are undesirable because of the Russian war of attack in Ukraine, although the Soviet Union was by far the most victims in World War II.

The message of Israel and Ukraine, Ron Prosor and Oleksii Makev, as well as the President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, were sitting on the spectator in the Reichstag building in Germany, Josef Schuster.

Makeieev welcomed that Steinmeier spoke German responsibility towards Ukraine. At the same time, he told the dpa news agency that there was no post -war period. “It’s war in Europe today.”

Steinmeier thanked Americans, British, French and everyone else who had run the fight against National Socialist terror. “We also know what contribution the Red Army has made, Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians and everyone who fought in it.” The Red Army freed Auschwitz. At least 13 million of these soldiers and again as many civilians would have lost their lives.

“We don’t forget all of this either. But that’s why we decide to the KREML’s history lies. Even if tomorrow at the victory celebrations in Moscow should be said again: The war against Ukraine is not a continuation of the fight against fascism.”

Putin’s campaign against a free, democratic country has nothing in common with the fight against the National Socialist tyranny in World War II. “These historical lies are nothing but a clamping imperial delusion, severe injustice and the most severe crime.”

The commemoration started with an ecumenical service in the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin. In addition to Steinmeier and Klöckner, the top of the other three constitutional bodies also took part in this: Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), Federal Council President Anke Rehlinger (SPD) and the President of the Federal Constitutional Court, Stephan Harbarth. They then laid wreaths at the central memorial, the new guard in Berlin.

The victory over National Socialist Germany is also celebrated in the capitals of the victorious powers. The largest military parade will take place in Moscow tomorrow.