In Berlin, they banned the use of Russian flags, orders, as well as symbols glorifying the war in Ukraine near Soviet monuments. The measures are on the occasion of the anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
On the occasion of the end of the Second World War in Europe, celebrated on May 8 and 9, the police in Berlin banned the use of Russian symbols near Soviet monuments in the city and its surroundings. Russian flags, George Ribbons of Courage, uniforms, orders, military and marching songs, as well as symbols glorifying Russia's war against Ukraine, including the Z symbol, are prohibited on the territory of the memorials in the parks "Treptov", "Tiergarten", "Schönholzer Heide" and in close proximity to them.
Exceptions are provided only for veterans of the Second World War, diplomats and other state representatives of Russia. The restrictions do not apply to rallies that take place outside the territories adjacent to the monuments. The usual norms of the collection law apply there.
The Russian Embassy protests the bans
The Russian Embassy in Berlin called on the authorities in the German capital to lift the bans near the Soviet monuments. "We consider this prohibition to be discriminatory, which goes against the spirit of the historic reconciliation between the peoples of Russia and Germany in the post-war period. We consider the decision of the Berlin authorities to be unacceptable," the embassy said in a statement.
This year the world marks 79 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe. In Germany, the anniversary is observed on May 8, while in Russia and most other republics of the former Soviet Union it is on May 9 due to the time difference in the signing of the surrender treaty of Nazi Germany.
This year marks the third time the commemorations have been held against the backdrop of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. In the last two years, this has led to conflicts between the participants in the different groups of demonstrators.