Large events are being held in Berlin on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. However, this time, Russian and Belarusian diplomats were not invited to the ceremony. This decision also caused disagreements among the heads of major museums in Berlin, the capital of Germany.
"It was not Russia, it was the Red Army."
Moritz van Dülmen, head of the Berlin Cultural Projects Organization (Kulturprojekte Berlin), said:
"Of course, Russia played an important role. But we need to use a precise expression. The Nazi defeated Germany - not just Russia, but the entire Red Army. There were Ukrainians in this army. We must be cautious of mentioning Russia today as an ally in the war. We are actually talking about the former Union (USSR)."
"Russia is now justifying the war"
Uve Noymerker, Head of the Berlin Holocaust Memorial Foundation:
"The USSR suffered the greatest losses in the war. However, today's Russia presents itself both as a victim and a victor. We, Germans, must remember all the victims of that time - including the Russians. But we must openly criticize Russia's actions in Ukraine since 2014. We must support Ukraine morally, financially, and militarily."
"Many refuse to put a tank of flowers"
Jorg Morre, Director of the Berlin-Karlshorst Museum:
"Many come here and remember the Red Army as a liberator. But many don't want to put flowers next to the tank, because this symbol reminds of today's Russia's war that violates international law. There will certainly be debates on this topic in the museum."
"It was the right decision not to invite Russia"
Johannes Tuchel, Head of the German Resistance Memorial Center:
"The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the right decision about Russia's non-participation in the events. I regret that we cannot remember the victims of this war together."
