Russian envoy's presence at Torgau stirs controversy
The Russian Ambassador to Germany, Sergey Nechaev, attended ceremonies in Torgau marking the 80th anniversary of the historic meeting between American and Soviet soldiers. Local newspapers have offered commentary on the event.
"It would have been better if the authorities in Torgau had not invited Nechaev at all," remarks the "Frankfurter Rundschau". By extending this invitation, the city gave Moscow's representative a chance to associate his country with those who liberated Europe from fascism. "While his own country is currently bombing Ukraine, committing war crimes, instilling fear in much of Europe, and conducting a hybrid war against Germany," the Frankfurt-based regional newspaper writes. It acknowledges that Germany still owes a debt of gratitude to the Soviet Union soldiers who made great sacrifices in overthrowing the Nazi regime. However, the Red Army wasn't composed solely of Russians; Ukrainians also served. Their descendants may feel insulted by the invitation to Nechaev.
"Germany cannot burn all bridges with Russia. Yet, providing a platform for an official Russian representative to pose as a peace envoy is completely out of place," the article continues.
The "Osnabrücker Zeitung" points out that "the line between memory and its instrumentalization is becoming increasingly thin." The handshake act in Torgau used to symbolize 'trust-building' and cooperation 'for the greater good,' watched by U.S. and Russian Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin just five years ago. Now, it's become a farce. Today, trust is scarce, and it's particularly disheartening that warnings about a potential third World War emerge daily, on days meant for reflecting on the lessons of the second."
"Representatives of Russia should not be given opportunities"
The regional newspaper "Lausitzer Rundschau" from Chociebuż weighs in: "Deciding whether a former liberator nation currently engaged in conflict should partake in celebrations is challenging. The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised national, regional, and local authorities against inviting Russian representatives. Some heeded this advice, others didn't, and some allowed only silent participation, like the Russian ambassador's presence in Torgau on Friday. Completely barring Russian representatives would disregard history. Alongside other former Soviet republics, Russia bore the greatest sacrifices during World War II—25 million lives lost. Those victims must never be forgotten. However, it's clear that representatives of Russia should not have opportunities to use their participation for propaganda, favoring a nation at war."
