“The Kremlin degraded the Victory”

Tellingly, almost all the Anti-Hitler Coalition allies have refused to attend the May 9 parade in Moscow to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory in World War Two. Russia, the country that considers itself a legal successor to the Soviet Union, is making great strides in turning into the regime it defeated in 1945. Suffice it to recall, for example, the so-called International Russian Conservative Forum in Saint Petersburg with the participation of European representatives, which the Western media immediately called “neo-Nazi jamboree.” But what really matters is actions. As experts have repeatedly pointed out, the Kremlin’s methods and behavior during the aggression against Ukraine resemble in many ways those of Hitler during World War Two.

Most of the countries have already expressed their stand as to whether or not to go to Moscow. US President Barack Obama did this through his advisor Ben Rhodes who said he did not expect their participation on the head-of-state level. British Prime Minister David Cameron took a similar step. His spokesperson announced that the UK premier would not go to Moscow as he disagrees to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions in eastern Ukraine and Crimea. The same reason was also announced in Germany. A German government representative said the traditional presence of Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Victory Parade is impossible due to events in Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, has also refused to travel to Moscow. As is known, the two countries are still to resolve a territorial dispute over the southern Kuril Islands.

Among those who have ignored Russian hospitality are also such countries as Georgia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Montenegro, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Australia, Canada, and Israel. The same applies to our closest neighbors Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Moldova, and Poland. The latter showed the strongest reaction. Poland’s Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna suggested that the WWII victory celebrations be held in country other than Russia. “Why not in London or Berlin? This would be more logical,” he said.

“THE EU AND NATO SHOULD SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINE”

Oana POPESCU, director of the Center for Conflict Prevention and Early Warning:

“Romania has no habit of holding grand celebrations on that date. I do not think that it will change in the slightest this year, given the events in Ukraine.

“Meanwhile, I would like to avoid any parallels between the events that happened in Europe decades ago and now. I do not want to equate current history with earlier periods, like the Cold War, the First and Second World Wars. This is a dangerous comparison. I think that the EU and NATO must show solidarity with Ukraine, but it is not necessary to use for this a symbolic occasion of such importance as May 9. At the same time, with Vladimir Putin now speaking about using nuclear weapons again, and us talking about a new cold war, I would not like us going back to the situation that took place decades ago.

“Unfortunately, Hungary and Greece’s stance on the issue is once again undermining the unity of the EU. Hungary has taken a pro-Russian position a very long time ago, while the decision of the Greek prime minister to visit Moscow is nothing new as well, seeing as they are with Russia on a number of issues. This is unfortunate, because these steps not only manifest national positions, but also threaten the unity of the EU on the issue.”

“THE IDEA TO CELEBRATE MAY 9 IN KYIV THIS YEAR HAS BEEN POLITICIZED”

Andrzej SZEPTYCKI, analyst at the Institute of International Relations, University of Warsaw:

“We must remember that the Soviet Union was not the only winner in 1945, for the Western countries – the US, the UK, and France – won the war too. If the Russians hold their Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, it could be done somewhere in Western Europe as well. For example, there was a proposal in Poland to celebrate this date in the Westerplatte Peninsula, where the World War Two had begun. However, I do not quite like the idea of linking these celebrations with the current situation.

“The idea of celebrating May 9 in Kyiv this year, and in Vilnius the next year because of the growing Russian aggression, this idea seems overly politicized to me. I think that we just need to find some alternative to Moscow. However, this other location should not be a symbol of the current political situation. It should be a historical, not a political celebration.”

“CELEBRATING THIS VICTORY IN MOSCOW MAKES NO SENSE WHATSOEVER”

Marius LAURINAVICIUS, senior analyst at the Eastern Europe Studies Center, Vilnius:

“This date has a different meaning for each country. Lithuania does not see it as a festive occasion, because the Soviet victory brought a continuation of the occupation. We recognize that it was a victory over fascism, which is good, but for us that victory day, and especially when it is set on May 9, is not a holiday.

“If Ukraine has really chosen the European development path, especially after the Euromaidan, then it should join the rest of Europe and celebrate not on May 9 but on May 8, just as the rest of Europe and the whole world does, except Russia. The whole of Europe celebrates the victory in the World War Two on May 8. It would be a symbolic gesture that would mean that Ukraine has really chosen the European path.

“As for EU leaders’ trips to Moscow, and the claim that this victory should be celebrated primarily in Moscow, both are results of Soviet and Russian propaganda efforts to that effect. It was not a Soviet-only victory, but a joint victory of all the allied forces. Celebrating this victory in Moscow makes no sense whatsoever.

“How to celebrate the victory in the World War Two is up to Ukraine itself. It was important for me to see that Ukraine had chosen the European way. Should it decide to celebrate the Day of Victory in the World War Two with a parade in Kyiv, I would have understood it. Should Ukraine invite leaders of other countries, as a symbol of the unity of all the allies, except the aggressive Russia, it would be a good propaganda and diplomatic gesture in the current situation, but no more than that. It would also be a good opportunity to show the unity of all civilized countries. We think that the victory in the World War Two was a victory of the civilized countries over the uncivilized fascism. It would be an opportunity to show that all civilized countries are now united with Ukraine, which is fighting an increasingly fascist Russia.”