German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivered a speech to the Bundestag on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported, BTA reports.
“On May 8, 1945, we were liberated“, he said. “Even today, 80 years later, we owe enormous gratitude to the Allied powers who put an end to the Nazi regime. We will not forget that.“
Steinmeier stressed that Germany also does not forget the contribution of the Red Army, in which Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians and others fought. “About 13 million soldiers and as many civilians died in the war. The Red Army liberated Auschwitz - and that too will not be forgotten.“
At the same time, the president categorically rejected the Kremlin's attempts to use history to justify the current aggression. “Russia's war against Ukraine is not a continuation of the fight against fascism. It is a cover-up of imperial obsession, great injustice and grave crimes,“ he stressed.
Steinmeier insisted that it was on May 8 that Germany should clearly support Ukraine. “If we give up on helping Ukraine, it means giving up on the lessons that this day has taught us.“
The president also drew attention to other challenges - the erosion of the international legal order, including under pressure from the administration of former US President Donald Trump, as well as the rise of right-wing extremism and nationalism in Western democracies.
“We must not give in. We must adhere to the principles of liberal democracy,“ he urged.
Steinmeier concluded his speech with an appeal to preserve historical memory: “It is precisely because we preserve these memories that a new, united Europe was born from the ruins of World War II.“