80 Years of End of War: Russian Embassy Critics Exclusion of Commemorative Events

Top Russian diplomat visits Uzbekistan to deepen strategic alliance, celebrate World War II anniversary

Moscow and Tashkent stress expanding cooperation in trade, education and regional security during Samarkand visit - Anadolu Ajansı

The Federal Foreign Office advises against inviting Russian officials to World War II memorial events. In Torgau, Moscow's ambassador could nevertheless meet with Saxony's Prime Minister Kretschmer.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that German authorities' plans to ban the Russian ambassador to Berlin from attending a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany are an expression of "open Russophobia" and show "signs of neo-Nazism."

The district of Treptov-Köpenick does not want to exclude Russian and Belarusian diplomats from the day of liberation. Sachsenhausen Memorial plans an extra date for representatives of the Russian Embassy.

The Federal Foreign Office does not want to see Russian officials at the commemorations of the end of the war in Europe. Treptov will not be followed.

At the beginning of May, the end of World War II marks the 80th anniversary. The Federal Foreign Office recommends that no Russian or Belarusian representatives should be invited to memorial events. The Russian Embassy is outraged.