BSW Leader Advocates for Russia's Right to Commemorate War Victims

In the lead-up to numerous commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a significant debate has emerged regarding the participation of Russian representatives. Niels-Olaf Lüders, the leader of the BSW parliamentary faction in Brandenburg, has expressed his support for allowing the Russian ambassador to attend these official ceremonies.

According to Lüders, the Russian ambassador should have the right to participate in the memorial events, particularly at the Sachsenhausen memorial site. This stance contrasts with the position of the Brandenburg Minister-President, who has deemed it unacceptable for Russian officials to attend due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

This year marks a pivotal moment, with various memorial services scheduled, including a major event on May 4 at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp memorial, located north of Berlin. The Brandenburg Memorials Foundation has formally requested that the Russian ambassador, Sergej Netschajew, refrain from attending, a decision that has been in place since 2022. The director of the memorial site has indicated that the venue's regulations will be enforced should the ambassador choose to attend despite the request.

In response to the exclusion, Lüders criticized the decision, stating that it is unjustified to bar the ambassador based on unfounded assumptions of potential political exploitation of the memorial events. He further described the threat of removing the ambassador by security forces as excessive.

The German Foreign Office has recommended that states, municipalities, and federal memorials not permit official Russian representatives at World War memorial events, citing concerns that Russia might misuse these occasions in light of its military actions in Ukraine. The Russian ambassador has countered these claims, emphasizing the importance of remembering those who liberated Germany and Europe from National Socialism.

Lüders has labeled the Foreign Office's recommendation as inappropriate, suggesting it constitutes a political interference that effectively excludes the descendants of those who fought to liberate Europe from the commemorations. He noted that both he and the Russian ambassador recently attended a memorial for the Battle of Seelow Heights, which garnered attention due to the ambassador's presence. Additionally, both were seen at a memorial event at the Soviet War Cemetery in Potsdam.