News - Russia Criticizes Exclusion from Holocaust Remembrance Event

The Russian Embassy in Berlin has expressed strong disapproval over Germany's decision to exclude Russian representatives from the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day events, specifically those commemorating the liberation of Auschwitz. The day, observed on January 27 each year, marks the historic liberation of the Nazi death camp by Soviet forces in 1945, a fact universally recognized as ending a dark chapter in human history. In their statement, the embassy accused Western nations of attempting to obliterate the Soviet Union's crucial role in defeating Nazi Germany and stopping the Holocaust. Despite Germany holding its annual remembrance session on January 27, Russian officials were notably absent, sparking criticism from Russian diplomats. They highlighted that this year also marks 85 years since Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union, a milestone the diplomats feel should have underscored the invitation to Russian representatives. Reminding the public of history, the embassy stressed the liberation of Auschwitz by Soviet troops as a definitive event symbolizing the end of Nazi atrocities. They noted that Soviet soldiers not only freed the camp survivors but also exposed the depths of Nazi crimes to the world. Furthermore, they underlined the tremendous impact of these events on the Soviet Union itself, pointing out that a significant portion of the Holocaust victims were Soviet Jews. The embassy's critical remarks were echoed by a Berlin newspaper, Berliner Zeitung, where editor Raphael Schmeller penned a column criticizing the German parliament's decision as a significant blunder. Schmeller advocated for historical remembrance that is free from contemporary political maneuvers, suggesting that neglecting to acknowledge history could potentially lead to repeating past horrors. German media's coverage of the remembrance events was widespread, with most outlets acknowledging the Soviet contribution to Auschwitz's liberation. However, broader debate on the ramifications of omitting Russian officials from the ceremony has been muted, save for a few critical voices.