Latest news with #SergeyNechayev
Russia Today
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Berlin to ban Russian flags on Victory Day
Russian symbols will be banned at key Soviet memorials in Berlin during Victory Day commemorations on May 8 and 9, Berliner Morgenpost reported, citing the authorities. Berlin officials told the newspaper that a general decree is being prepared to block the display of Russian banners and commemorative items at the Treptow, Mitte, and Pankow memorials. The anniversary of victory over Nazism and the end of World War II in Europe is celebrated on May 9 in Russia and many post-Soviet states. In Western countries, the event is observed on May 8, known as Victory in Europe Day, Liberation Day, or Victory Day. 'The police in Berlin will again issue a general order prohibiting the display of Russian flags and banners on Victory Day,' the report stated. The move is aimed at preventing 'violence and the associated propaganda,' according to a police spokesperson quoted by Berliner Morgenpost. The decree mirrors last year's restrictions. In 2024, Berlin banned the flags of the Soviet Union, Belarus, and Russia, as well as wartime songs. The list of prohibited items extended to 'any flags linked to Russia' and elements of military uniforms, even if altered. The St. George's ribbon, a revered symbol of remembrance in Russia and several former Soviet republics, was also banned. At the time, the Russian Embassy denounced the measures as 'discriminatory' and accused Berlin of undermining 'historical reconciliation,' demanding that 'all the relevant bans be lifted.' In 2023, activists challenged a similar ban in court. Although a German court initially sided with the plaintiffs and partially lifted the restrictions, police overturned the ruling, reinstating the prohibition. Earlier this week, Bild reported that officials in Brandenburg plan to expel Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergey Nechayev from a ceremony marking the defeat of Nazi Germany. Despite the threats, Nechayev vowed to honor fallen Soviet soldiers. According to the tabloid, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Brandenburg's minister-president, Dietmar Woidke, intend to prevent such appearances. The Federal Foreign Office had earlier advised organizers against inviting Russian and Belarusian representatives to WWII commemorations. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned the move, saying it revealed the organizers' 'deep-rooted Russophobia.' Zina Schonbrunn, a member of Brandenburg's regional parliament, called the exclusion of Russian participation in the 80th-anniversary Victory Day events 'absurd.' On Wednesday, Nechayev and diplomats from several former Soviet republics laid wreaths at a Soviet cemetery in Potsdam without interference. Nechayev said many German citizens still honor the Red Army's heroic role in liberation.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russian diplomat stirs controversy attending WWII event in Germany
Russia's ambassador to Germany pressed ahead on Friday with his controversial attendance at celebrations in the eastern town of Torgau to mark 80 years since US and Soviet soldiers famously shook hands at the Elbe River on April 25, 1945. "Today we must remember the fallen soldiers," Sergey Nechayev said in German at the event, surrounded by journalists and citizens. "The day is therefore very important for us." His participation had previously been disputed because of Moscow's continuing military attack on Ukraine. Shortly beforehand, Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev had called for the Russian to be barred from the event. Asked what he thought about him not being welcome, Nechayev said: "I don't feel it, I feel comfortable." "We have the opportunity to make our position known," the diplomat added about his being denied the right to speak at the wreath-laying ceremony. Saxony's Premier Michael Kretschmer addressed the ambassador in Torgau with clear words on the war in Ukraine. "It was Russia that started a war against Ukraine in violation of international law. Not in [2022], but back in 2014. And it is up to Russia, only Russia, to end this war," Kretschmer said in the direction of Nechayev, who received a few boos from the crowd. The ambassador spoke to some of the people attending, his lapel adorned with the St George black and orange ribbon. Traditionally considered a symbol of remembrance of the Soviet-German war, the ribbon has been criticized as a Russian propaganda symbol since Moscow first intervened militarily in Ukraine 11 years ago, culminating in the full-scale invasion of February 2022.
Russia Today
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Russian envoy threatened in Germany over Victory Day celebrations
The German authorities have warned Russian Ambassador Sergey Nechayev that he could be expelled from events marking the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The controversy erupted ahead of the May 9 celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, one of Russia's most revered holidays. On Monday, Nechayev and the Belarusian ambassador appeared at the Seelow Heights Memorial in Brandenburg around 50 miles (80km) east of Berlin to lay a wreath in honor of the fallen Soviet soldiers. However, Brandenburg's memorial director, Professor Axel Drecoll, has vehemently opposed Russia's participation in these events, issuing a veiled threat to obstruct access or even remove the ambassador from the premises if he continues to visit memorial sites without permission. 'We have banned the Russian Embassy from all anniversaries since the attack on Ukraine. If the ambassador comes anyway, we will enforce our house rules – in close coordination with security forces,' he said, as quoted by Bild. According to the tabloid, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Brandenburg's minister-president, Dietmar Woidke, have expressed their intentions to prevent these uninvited appearances in the future. The Federal Foreign Office earlier advised all organizers against allowing Russian and Belarusian representatives to take part in WWII commemorations. The Russian Foreign Ministry has criticized Germany's stance, with spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accusing the German Foreign Ministry of 'unmasking itself to reveal the ugliness of Russophobia and the hallmarks of Nazism.' Nechayev has defied this policy, telling the German Press Agency, 'We do not need a special invitation to honor the memory of the Soviet liberators and the victims of Nazism in publicly accessible places and to solemnly celebrate Victory Day.' On Wednesday, the envoy and diplomats from several former Soviet republics laid wreaths at a Soviet military cemetery in Potsdam without facing any opposition. Nechayev noted that these events are attended by German citizens who are grateful for the liberation from the Nazi regime. 'I am very glad that the German public, in spite of the well-known bans, remembers the heroic deeds of the Red Army and maintains the correct culture of remembrance,' he said, as quoted by TASS.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russian, Belarusian ambassadors not invited to German parliament's WWII memorial event
BERLIN (Reuters) - The German parliament has kept the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus off its guest list for a special sitting on May 8 marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe, a spokesperson for the legislature said on Thursday. The decision highlights discomfort in Germany over how to address the role of Russia in liberating Europe from Nazi terror during the anniversary year given that President Vladimir Putin has drawn on the legacy of World War Two to justify his invasion of Ukraine. The Bundestag spokesperson referred to an assessment by the federal government in a statement explaining the move: "This assessment led to the ambassadors of the Russian Federation and Belarus, among others, not being invited," it said. Representatives of other embassies will join German lawmakers for the event in the Bundestag's plenary chamber that will commemorate the end of the war and with it, the end of Nazi Germany's campaign of violence and genocide in Europe. Guests from abroad were not invited, the spokesperson said. On Wednesday, Russian ambassador Sergey Nechayev attended a commemorative event in the eastern town of Seelow despite a government warning about Moscow's efforts to "instrumentalise" events marking the 80th anniversary. The commemoration marked the Battle of the Seelow Heights, one of the final battles in the war before the Soviet army's march on Berlin and Germany's capitulation in May 1945. At least 30,000 Soviet soldiers were killed in one of the hardest fought battles for Russia's troops. On Wednesday, Russia's state RIA news agency cited Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying German Foreign Ministry guidance suggesting representatives of Russia and Belarus could be expelled from anniversary events was an insult to "direct descendants of Hitler's executioners".
Reuters
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Russian, Belarusian ambassadors not invited to German parliament's WWII memorial event
BERLIN, April 17 (Reuters) - The German parliament has kept the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus off its guest list for a special sitting on May 8 marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe, a spokesperson for the legislature said on Thursday. The decision highlights discomfort in Germany over how to address the role of Russia in liberating Europe from Nazi terror during the anniversary year given that President Vladimir Putin has drawn on the legacy of World War Two to justify his invasion of Ukraine. The Bundestag spokesperson referred to an assessment by the federal government in a statement explaining the move: "This assessment led to the ambassadors of the Russian Federation and Belarus, among others, not being invited," it said. Representatives of other embassies will join German lawmakers for the event in the Bundestag's plenary chamber that will commemorate the end of the war and with it, the end of Nazi Germany's campaign of violence and genocide in Europe. Guests from abroad were not invited, the spokesperson said. On Wednesday, Russian ambassador Sergey Nechayev attended a commemorative event in the eastern town of Seelow despite a government warning about Moscow's efforts to "instrumentalise" events marking the 80th anniversary. The commemoration marked the Battle of the Seelow Heights, one of the final battles in the war before the Soviet army's march on Berlin and Germany's capitulation in May 1945. At least 30,000 Soviet soldiers were killed in one of the hardest fought battles for Russia's troops. On Wednesday, Russia's state RIA news agency cited Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying German Foreign Ministry guidance suggesting representatives of Russia and Belarus could be expelled from anniversary events was an insult to "direct descendants of Hitler's executioners".
