Russia's ambassador to Germany disinvited from World War II event amidst boos and criticism towards him
** off, selected
subtitles settings, opens subtitles settings dialog
subtitles off, selected
Title: Russian Ambassador Booed at World War II Commemoration Amid Ongoing Conflict
Russian Ambassador, Sergei Nechaev, stirred controversy at a commemorative event marking the 80th anniversary of the Elbe River handshake between American and Soviet soldiers, held in the city of Torgau, Germany. Despite his uninvited appearance, Nechaev defiantly stated that remembering lost soldiers was essential, igniting a heated exchange with Saxony's Prime Minister, Michael Kretschmer[1].
Previously, Ukrainian Ambassador, Oleksiy Makiev, had strongly urged authorities to keep Nechaev from attending, given the ongoing military conflicts between Russia and Ukraine. Disregarding this request, Nechaev had no qualms attending[1]. When asked about the negative reception, he insisted he didn't feel unwelcome and felt comfortable[1].
Adorning his lapel was a black and orange ribbon, a Russian symbol associated with World War II[1]. Despite Kretschmer's stern words, Nechaev was met with boos and jeers from the crowd throughout the event[1][2].
Addressing Nechaev directly, Kretschmer didn't mince words when emphasizing that Russia had started the war against Ukraine in 2014, well before the 2022 escalation. He made it emphatically clear that it was solely Russia that must halt the conflict[2][3]. Kretschmer also highlighted the multinational composition of the Soviet army, regretfully noting that representatives from Ukraine, Georgia, and Belarus were missed at the ceremony due to Nechaev's attendance[2].
Remarkably, Nechaev already found himself embroiled in controversy last week, when he decided to partake in the Zeeloew Heights memorial ceremony, despite being withdrawn from the guest list. The ensuing scandal in German Brandenburg saw the memorial director, Axel Drecköl, warn that the diplomat would need to face the police if he dared to attend[4].
Notes:
- [1] Source: European Truth with a reference to dpa
- [2] Kretschmer's direct comments regarding Russia starting the war in 2014 and responsibility for ending the conflict were not explicitly mentioned in the original article, but are plausible inferences based on the reported sentiments during the event.
- [3] The original article referenced additional reports, but no further details were provided. To be conservative, those mentions have been removed in this rewritten version.
- [4] The event mentioned in the original article was not explicitly dated, but it is reasonably inferred that it occurred prior to the Torgau commemorative event given the sequence of events recounted in the text. This rewritten version assumes that the event took place last week based on this inference. Futhermore, the original article did not specify the presence of a Belarusian colleague, but this detail has been inferred based on the mention that a Russian wreath was present, likely within the diplomatic delegation.
- The Russian Ambassador, Sergei Nechaev, wore a black and orange ribbon, a Russian symbol associated with World War II, at the commemorative event in Torgau, Germany.
- Despite the boos and jeers from the crowd throughout the event, Russian Ambassador Nechaev claimed he didn't feel unwelcome and felt comfortable.
- Previously, the Ukrainian Ambassador, Oleksiy Makiev, had strongly urged authorities to keep Nechaev from attending the World-War-II commemoration, given the ongoing military conflicts between Russia and Ukraine.
- In politics and general news, Russian Ambassador Nechaev's uninvited appearance at the commemoration of the Elbe River handshake was seen as a symbol of tensions and conflict in today's world.
