Eighty years from the day B ‘ended World war In Europe they are completed on Thursday (08.05.2025). “We are all children of May 8,” said German federal president, Frank Walter Steinmeier.
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier during his Bundestag speech, highlighted the importance of preserving the authorities of liberal democracy within the internal community abroad.
Mr Steinmeier also referred to the contribution of the Red Army and stressed that the Russian war against Ukraine “is not a continuation of the struggle against fascism”.
In the phrase of Jurgen Habermas, “We are all children of May 8!”, The federal president reiterated that “On May 8 we were released“And he expressed his deep gratitude to the allies and European resistance movements that defeated the Nazi regime.
«We will never forget that“, Noted, to add that Germany will always remember the contribution of the Red Army – Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians and all those who fought in him. “At least 13 million of these soldiers and twice as many civilians have died.
“Especially on May 8, Germany supports Ukraine in the struggle for its freedom”
The Red Army liberated Auschwitz. We will not forget all this. But precisely for this reason we are decisively opposed to today’s Kremlin’s historical lies. Russia’s war against Ukraine is not a continuation of the struggle against fascism, even if this is relying on the Kremlin tomorrow in Moscow’s victory celebrations..
This historical lie is nothing more than a disguise for imperial madness, heavy injustice and even heavier crimes, “said Steinmeier, and stressed that” especially on May 8, Germany supports Ukraine in its struggle for its freedom and its freedom, May 8th. “
The German president also called for Germany’s defense potential, “not to fight, but to prevent war”, referring to an increase in nationalism and right -wing extremism and appealed to the citizens not to allow them to influence them, but to “adhere to them”.
However, he described as the “shock of a completely different scale” the fact that the US, which shaped the international order after the war, “today turn their backs on it” and referred to a “double end end”: “Russia’s aggressive war and US rupture with their values mark the end of a large 20th century.”he added.
Mr Steinmeier also talked about the need for the memories of World War II to remain alive. “Just because we remembered, a new, united Europe emerged from the ruins”he said characteristically, while expressing his gratitude for the reconciliation offered to Germany other countries after the war and “For the miracle of reconciliation given by Jewish communities worldwide and the state of Israel”.
In the same vein, the president of the Bundestag, Yulia Cleckner pointed out that “The monstrous extent of German crimes is not yet known to everyone, or – worse – many – no longer want to deal with it.”. The anniversary, he said, serves to deal with this trend.
Today’s anniversary is honored with events throughout Germany, while Berlin has declared a general holiday a day, especially for this year, to highlight its importance.
About 1,900 police officers guard the events in the German capital and especially the Soviet monuments of the citywhere banners have been banned with references to Russia or the corresponding flags. At the memory event held at the Bundestag Russian and Belarus ambassadors were not invited.