Rebel Yell: Steinmeier Takes Aim at Trump and Putin's Policies
- 5 Min
Criticized Severely: Steinmeier Lodges Scathing Remarks Against Trump and Putin During Memorial Occasion (8th May) - Trump and Putin accused forcefully by Steinmeier during memorial service
Germany's Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, called for a firm adherence to lessons learned from World War II and the Nazi dictatorship, despite the challenges presented. "We damn well know where isolation leads, where aggressive nationalism, contempt for democratic institutions leads," he exclaimed at a commemoration marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. "We in Germany have already lost democracy once," he said, emphasizing the importance of standing up for our values and showing self-assertion.
Steinmeier underscored that the 8th of May has become synonymous with Germany's identity as the Day of Liberation. No longer questioning whether the 8th of May liberated us, the question now becomes, "How can we remain free?"
The President pointed out that the international community, following the war of annihilation and genocide, established an international order built on international law. Now, however, this order is being questioned by the United States. Europe is witnessing the growing appeal of authoritarian and populist tendencies, and Germany is seeing a strengthening of extremist forces.
Steinmeier Speaks of a "Double Epochal Break"
Steinmeier, without mentioning names, took aim at US President Donald Trump's policy, describing the fact that even the United States, architects of the aforementioned international order, are turning away from it as a "shock of unprecedented magnitude."
The president directly linked this shift to Russia's attack on Ukraine. He spoke of a "double epochal break" and emphasized, "The attack by Russia and the betrayal of values by the USA mark the end of this long 20th century."
"We must do everything, together with our European partners, to stop Putin's land grab," said Steinmeier. "If we left Ukraine defenseless, it would mean giving up the lessons of the 8th of May."
Concerns about Extremist Forces in Germany
Steinmeier expressed concerns about the growth of extremist forces within his own country, and without directly naming the AfD, said these forces ridicule the institutions of democracy and their representatives, poison debates, play with people's fears, and incite people against each other.
"Whoever wants what's good for this country should protect the togetherness, cohesion, and peaceful settlement of interests," said Steinmeier to long applause.
AfD leader Tino Chrupalla deemed the speech inappropriate, telling the German Press Agency, "We do not feel addressed as extremists. Nevertheless, one must say that the Federal President in some passages of his speech has indeed misused this day today."
Similarly, Steinmeier's stern warning targeted the AfD, urging them not to attempt to draw a "so-called line under our history and our responsibility." He was amazed by the tenacity with which some, "unfortunately even in this house," demanded this. "We should not flee from our history. We should not discard its lessons just when they demand something of us. That would be cowardly and wrong at the same time."
Similarly, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner touched on this aspect at the opening of the memorial hour. "The unimaginable scale of German crimes is still not fully understood by many, or worse, many do not want to engage with it. Counteracting this trend - that is also the purpose of the commemoration on May 8."
World War II Claimed Millions of Lives
The Second World War, unleashed by Hitler's Germany, resulted in an estimated 50 to over 60 million deaths worldwide, with the majority being civilians. The Soviet Union was particularly hard hit, with around 27 million deaths. Germany lost about 6.3 million people, including many soldiers.
The war ended in Europe with the unconditional surrender of the German Wehrmacht, which came into effect on May 8, 1945. The instrument of surrender was signed twice - once in the French Reims and then again in the Soviet headquarters in Berlin-Karlshorst.
Ambassadors of Russia and Belarus Not Invited
The ambassadors of Russia and Belarus were not invited to the event in the Bundestag's plenary hall, despite the presence of other diplomatic representatives. They are unwelcome due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, despite the Soviet Union suffering more casualties in World War II.
Among those present in the visitors' gallery of the Reichstag building were the ambassadors of Israel and Ukraine, as well as the president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany.
Acknowledgement of the Contribution of the Red Army
Steinmeier thanked Americans, Britons, French, and all others who fought against the national socialist terror. "We also know what contribution the Red Army made, Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and all who fought in it. The Red Army liberated Auschwitz. At least 13 million of these soldiers and twice as many civilians lost their lives."
"We do not forget any of this. But precisely for this reason, we firmly oppose today's historical lies from the Kremlin. Even if it is claimed again tomorrow at the victory celebrations in Moscow: 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 dictatorship in World War II. "This historical lie is nothing but a cover for imperial madness, grave injustice, and grave crimes."
The commemoration began with an ecumenical church service at the Kaiser-Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin. Alongside Steinmeier and Kloeckner, the heads of the other three constitutional bodies also participated. Subsequent wreath-laying ceremonies took place at the central memorial site. The victory over Nazi Germany is also celebrated in the capital cities of the Allied nations. The largest military parade will take place tomorrow in Moscow.
Enrichment Data:
- Implications of Steinmeier’s Speech
- Reinforcement of European Military Strength and Self-Reliance
- Opposition to Russian Aggression and Defense of International Order
- Reinforcement of Transatlantic and European Solidarity
- Support for EU Defense Initiatives
- The European Parliament should reinforce European military strength and self-reliance in response to Steinmeier's speech, as it emphasizes the need for Europe to stand up for its values.
- The European Parliament should oppose Russian aggression and defend the international order, following Steinmeier's stance that the attack by Russia and the betrayal of values by the USA mark a significant break in history.
- The European Parliament should strengthen transatlantic and European solidarity, as Steinmeier's speech stresses the importance of working together with European partners to stop Putin's land grab.
- The European Parliament should support EU defense initiatives, given Steinmeier's call for the international community to maintain the order established after World War II.
- The European Parliament should be vigilant against extremist forces within the European Union, as Steinmeier expressed concerns about the growth of such forces undermining democratic institutions and peaceful settlements of interests.
- The European Parliament should acknowledge the contribution of the Red Army in liberating Europe from the Nazis, but also reject the Kremlin's historical lies and the presentation of the war against Ukraine as a continuation of the fight against fascism.
- The European Parliament should be aware that Putin's campaign against a free, democratic country has no resemblance to the fight against the Nazi dictatorship in World War II, as it is nothing but acover for imperial madness, grave injustice, and grave crimes.
