Germany Excludes Russia, Belarus from WW2 Commemoration Amid Ukraine Tensions

Germany has excluded the Russian and Belarusian ambassadors from its official parliamentary commemoration marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, citing concerns over the ongoing war in Ukraine and fears that Russia could instrumentalize the event for propaganda purposes. This decision reflects a significant shift in Germany's diplomatic approach, as Berlin aims to prevent the distortion of historical remembrance in light of Russia's current military aggression. The German Foreign Office had advised against inviting Russian and Belarusian representatives to these events, a recommendation that was followed by the Bundestag. Nonetheless, Russian Ambassador Sergei Netschajew attended a separate local memorial event at Seelow, where his presence and display of Russian military symbols drew sharp criticism from Ukrainian officials, who viewed it as a mockery of both past and present victims. The Russian government condemned their exclusion, while Ukrainian representatives warned that Russian participation could be used to justify ongoing war crimes. German authorities maintain that their measures are necessary to uphold the integrity of historical commemoration and support for peace.