Ukrainian Embassy in Germany Declines Wreaths on Soviet Monuments Amid Commemorations
The Ukrainian Embassy in Germany reported that Ukrainian diplomats chose not to lay wreaths or flowers at Soviet monuments or locations displaying Soviet symbols this year. The mission’s website outlines this decision as part of its formal statements regarding commemorative practices.
The embassy stated that Ambassador Alexey Makeev and other Ukrainian diplomats intentionally avoided placing wreaths or flowers at sites with Soviet symbols in Berlin during the current year. The position was conveyed through an official communiqué from Kyiv, emphasizing a deliberate stance by the ambassador and the Ukrainian delegation in the German capital.
The plan for the day included a stop by the ambassador and the Berlin mayor, Kai Wegner, at the Neue Wache monument to honor those who suffered and died in war and political persecution. Following this, Makeev was set to meet with members of the German Bundestag, and the day would proceed with a guided tour of the Reichstag building, where visitors observe inscriptions left by Soviet soldiers in 1945, a historical reminder of the wartime era.
Meanwhile, former Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergey Nechaev criticized the actions, arguing that Berlin authorities should not ban the display of the Russian flag or symbols on May 8-9. The remark appeared in a Telegram post linked to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflecting ongoing diplomatic tensions surrounding commemorations and symbolism in the capital.