Rebuking Russia's Lies: Steinmeier's Speech on May 8th
In advance of the 67th commemoration of World War II's conclusion in Europe, and Russia's triumph over Nazi aggression, Steinmeier, on May 8th, is expected to denounce Russian 'historical myths' in his speech. - Steinmeier to deny Russian "historical distortions" in his May 8 discourse
Gird your loins, folks! The Federal President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, is about to lay down the law at the commemoration event hosted by the Bundestag in Berlin on May 8th. Plus, he ain't pulling any punches when it comes to calling out Russia's crap.
Why, you ask? Well, it's been a real pain in the neck putting this speech together, considering the 75th anniversary of World War II and all. Yeah, it's been a real headache, alright.
In his speech, Steinmeier is gonna set the record straight about Russia's bullshit interpretation that its attack on Ukraine is some kind of continuation of the fight against fascism. Don't buy it, folks. That's just Kremlin toilet paper.
"War against the Ukraine is not a continuation of the fight against fascism," Steinmeier is expected to say. "Putin's war of aggression, his campaign against a free, democratic country, has nothing in common with the struggle against Nazi tyranny during World War II."
Steinmeier ain't done yet, though. He's gonna slam Russia's interpretation as a "historical lie" that is nothing more than "a euphemism for imperial madness, grave injustice, and grave crimes." And the Federal President also supports the Bundestag's decision to keep the Russian ambassador out of the commemoration.
But that ain't all, folks! Steinmeier is gonna talk about the rise of the radical right and nationalist forces in Germany, too. And he's gonna address the U.S.'s departure from the Western values community and the foundations of international law. His speech manuscript calls it an "American breach of values."
With the AFD faction doubling in size since the last federal election, Steinmeier's gonna have a tough crowd to deal with. But he ain't gonna name any parties. That ain't his style, you see.
Steinmeier's gonna warn us about ignoring lessons from the past, too. "Why should we have to painfully learn or relearn again what we have already bitterly experienced and learned in our German history?" it reads. "We know where isolationism, aggressive nationalism, and the contempt for democratic institutions lead."
It's gonna be a hell of a speech. Mark your calendars, folks!
Fun Facts
- Frank-Walter Steinmeier references Victor Klemperer, a linguist who survived the Nazi regime and documented how language was manipulated by the Nazis.
- The 8th of May signifies the liberation from the National Socialist dictatorship for Germany. It is a pivotal moment in the transition to democracy.
- Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, has been accused of distorting history, particularly regarding World War II and the Soviet Union's role in it. This has been a contentious issue, especially with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
- The exclusion of the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus from the commemoration reflects Germany's stance on Russia's actions in Ukraine, signaling a strong disapproval of Russia's "war of aggression."
- The 80th anniversary of the end of World War II is being marked globally, with events in Germany, the UK, and other Allied powers. This commemoration highlights the ongoing relevance of the lessons learned from the war and the importance of maintaining international peace and stability.
- Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in his highly anticipated speech on May 8th, will reject Russia's distorted interpretation of its attack on Ukraine as a continuation of the fight against fascism.
- The German Federal President is expected to label Russia's interpretation as a historical lie and a euphemism for imperial madness, injustice, and crimes.
- Steinmeier will also touch upon the rise of radical right and nationalist forces in Germany, as well as the US's departure from the Western values community and the foundations of international law, which he terms an "American breach of values."
- In a clear show of disapproval, Steinmeier supports the Bundestag's decision to exclude the Russian ambassador from the commemoration event.
- Steinmeier will warn against ignoring lessons from the past, citing Germany's bitter experiences with isolationism, aggressive nationalism, and contempt for democratic institutions.
