In light of the upcoming 80th anniversary of the end of World War II on May 8, 1945, Sahra Wagenknecht, the leader of the BSW, has expressed her support for the inclusion of Russian representatives in memorial ceremonies. She emphasized that excluding them would be a demonstration of historical amnesia, noting the significant role the Soviet army played in the defeat of Nazi Germany, which resulted in the loss of approximately 27 million lives from the Soviet Union, a majority of whom were Russian. Wagenknecht criticized the recommendations from the office of Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, which suggested not inviting representatives from Russia and Belarus due to concerns that they might misuse the commemorations to draw parallels with their ongoing military actions in Ukraine. She argued that such exclusions could harm Germany's international reputation and contribute to a new narrative that fosters hostility towards Russia. The Brandenburg Memorials Foundation, responsible for sites like Sachsenhausen and Ravensbrück, has also decided against allowing Russian diplomats to participate in the commemorative events. Wagenknecht remarked that this stance represents a shift in the German political climate, suggesting that it prepares the nation for future conflicts with Russia. She highlighted the importance of remembering that the Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev was instrumental in the reunification of Germany, a fact that is often overlooked by contemporary policymakers. Traditionally, ceremonies are held in Berlin at the memorials honoring the Red Army, where people gather annually to commemorate the end of the Second World War. Despite the official recommendations, local authorities have indicated they will not prevent Russian and Belarusian representatives from attending these events. In contrast, the Bundestag has declared that ambassadors from both Russia and Belarus will be barred from the central commemoration taking place in Parliament on May 8. The Foreign Office reiterated its decision to exclude these representatives, stressing that the Russian government's rhetoric equating the Ukrainian government with the Nazi regime is unacceptable. The office clarified that while it could not impose outright bans, the decision to invite or exclude representatives lies with the event organizers who have the right to determine access. The Red Army, which fought against Nazi Germany from 1941 to 1945, was comprised not only of Russians but also included significant numbers of Ukrainians among its ranks. Estimates suggest that Ukrainians constituted a substantial portion of the Red Army, with figures indicating at least a quarter of its members were from Ukraine. This historical context remains largely unrecognized in contemporary discussions surrounding the war and its aftermath.