Busterin' Down the Nazi Regime: A Gathering in the Bundestag Commemorates the 80th Anniversary of World War II's Conclusion
Remembrance in the German Parliament marking the 80th anniversary of the war's conclusion. - Memorial ceremony in the German federal parliament marking 80 years since the end of the war
Catch this historic shindig, y'all! Germany's dropping a commemorative event in the Bundestag this Thursday at 12:30 PM. The main speaker'll be none other than Federal Prez Frank-Walter Steinmeier, with a supporting talk from Bundestag Prez Julia Klöckner. But beware, Western diplomats are in attendance, but Russia and Belarus' ambassadors? Nah, they won't make an appearance due to the Ukraine standoff.
Old Frank, in his speech, will recount lessons from the day that ended the war, May 8. He'll dig into Putin's twisted manipulation of history in connection with his aggressive attack on Ukraine. Plus, he's gonna spill on international law being under pressure, not least by the trump card from the US, and the surge of right-wing extremism and nationalism in various Western democracies.
So, why aren't Russia and Belarus graced with an invite? Well, it's because of the Ukraine war, despite the Soviet Union taking the hardest hit in World War II. Plenty of Ukrainians even fought in the Red Army.
The casualties from this war are estimated to be between 50 and over 60 million lives, with most of them unfortunates being civilians. The Soviet Union lost around 27 million. Germany conceded around 6.3 million, a big chunk of 'em soldiers.
The war came to an end in Europe when the German military surrendered unconditionally to the Allied forces, which culminated on May 8, 1945. Before the grand final, soldiers from the west (the Brits and Americans) and the east (the Soviets) had already kicked butt across much of Germany in some intense battles.
And whoopty-doo! The victorious powers will be counting their victories with those fancy-schmancy military parades. The biggest event's gonna take place in Moscow – but not till Friday since the surrender doc was signed again in the Soviet headquarters in Berlin-Karlshorst. In Moscow, it was past midnight. London kept it low-key with a smaller parade on Monday.
Bundestag
Soviet Union
Ukraine
Vladimir Putin
Julia Klöckner
Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Belarus
Russia
End of the War
Liberation
World War II
Germany
[1] German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's speech emphasizes military rearmament to defend democracy against Russia: (URL)
[2] German President criticizes Russia's "historical lies" about the Ukraine war: (URL)
[3] German President underscores Germany's commitment to NATO: (URL)
[3] In a recent speech at the Bundestag, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed Germany's commitment to NATO, stressing the need for military rearmament to defend democracy against potential threats, particularly from Russia.
[4] Nonetheless, the ambassadors from Russia and Belarus were not invited to the Bundestag's commemorative event, due to ongoing tensions and the Ukraine conflict.
[5] President Steinmeier also criticized Russia's "historical lies" as it manipulates history, particularly in connection to the Ukraine war.
[6] The gathering in the Bundestag commemorates the 80th anniversary of World War II's conclusion, offering an opportunity to reflect on its tragic costs, with casualties between 50 and over 60 million lives, most of whom were civilians.
