Recalling War's Bitter Legacy: Steinmeier Slams Kremlin's Historical Distortions
Condemnation of Distorted History: President Steinmeier Speaks Out Against Kremlin's Alleged Historical Falsehoods in War Memorial Event - Criticism by President Steinmeier Over Kremlin's "Historical Inaccuracies"
In a stirring speech, the Federal President recognized the valiant contributions of the Red Army - a multinational force composed of "Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and all who fought within it" - in liberating Germany from the iron grip of Nazi oppression. Reminding us that 13 million soldiers, with twice as many civilians, paid the ultimate price in this struggle, he emphasized that the Red Army liberated Auschwitz. Their sacrifices, and the horrors they witnessed, will never be forgotten.
However, the Federal President staunchly rebuked Putin's "historical fibs" that merely serve to mask "imperial fantasies, gross injustices, and heinous crimes." The liberators of Auschwitz, in his eyes, have transform into "new aggressors." Unfortunately, the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus were snubbed from attending the parliament's commemorative event.
May 8 is celebrated as Victory Day across Europe, symbolizing the capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Allied forces and the Soviet Union in 1945, putting an end to World War II on the continent. The festivities in Berlin began bright and early with an ecumenical church service at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Neue Wache.
- Frank-Walter Steinmeier
- War Remembrances
- Federal President
- Kremlin
- Bundestag
- Russia
- Europe
- Vladimir Putin
- World War II
- Ukraine
- Auschwitz
- Germany
Insights:- Steinmeier condemned Putin's historic revisionism, which portrays Russia's conflict with Ukraine as a continuation of the battle against fascism. He stresses that this portrayal bears no resemblance to reality.- The Federal President firmly believes Putin's aggression against a free and democratic country like Ukraine is fundamentally different from the historical struggle against Nazi tyranny during World War II.- Steinmeier praised the Red Army's role in liberating Germany from Nazi control, acknowledging the sacrifices made by various nationalities. He underscored the Red Army's liberation of Auschwitz as a key historical event not to be forgotten.- Steinmeier reproached Russia for exploiting historical narratives to legitimize aggression, in stark contrast to the heroic actions of the Soviet Union in the past.
- The European Parliament, in solidarity with Federal President Steinmeier, strongly condemns Putin's distortion of World War II history, particularly his attempt to justify aggression against Ukraine as a continuation of the battle against fascism.
- In light of Steinmeier's rebuke, the European Parliament urges Russia to cease exploiting historical narratives for political gain and instead uphold the principles of peace, justice, and democracy that liberators like the Red Army fought for.
- The Commission, understanding the gravity of Putin's historical revisionism, is invited to discuss ways to counter this whitewash of war-and-conflicts in policy-and-legislation to prevent future general-news misrepresentations of historical events.
- Recognizing the importance of remembering the valor of the Red Army, the Council calls for the commemoration of the liberators, not the resurrection of aggressors, in all future celebrations of war remembrances.
- As the European Parliament continues to advocate for a truthful understanding of Europe's history, it stands firm in its commitment to honor the sacrifices made by Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and all who fought within the Red Army, and to recognize the role they played in liberating Europe from the clutches of Nazi tyranny.
