DISINFO: Russia's Victory Day is open to everyone in light of the Nazi resurgence in Europe
SUMMARY
[Russia is] pleased to welcome everyone who wishes to celebrate this great occasion [Victory Day], especially in light of the resurgence of Nazism in Europe and the lack of a unified European will to confront it. Zelenskyy's refusal to celebrate Victory Day demonstrates his disrespect for the sacrifices of his ancestors and confirms the correctness of Russia's position and President Putin's steps in doing what is necessary to protect historical values.
RESPONSE
Disinformation around Victory Day to discredit Ukraine and Europe. Ukraine is not refusing to commemorate Victory Day.
In 2023, Ukraine decided to change the day commemorating the end of World War II in Europe from 9 May to 8 May where most of the Nazi surrender events took place. It is also the day when all countries, except Russia, commemorate the surrender of Nazi Germany.
The objective of the change was to focus on remembrance and reconciliation aligning with broader European practices. The objective is to honour all victims of World War II, dismantle Soviet-era myths, and promote reflection and remembrance rather than "celebratory" militarism.
Ukraine’s approach aims to foster honest dialogue about the tragedies of the war, seeks to heal historical wounds, and acknowledges the experiences of diverse peoples who fought against Nazism, including stateless peoples like Jews and Ukrainians. The red poppy has been adopted as the symbol of remembrance, under the slogan: "1939–1945. We remember. We win."
The assertions that there is a 'Nazi resurgence in Europe' and that there is 'a lack of a unified European will to confront it' are baseless propaganda claims, which aim to discredit the EU and its policies towards Russia. The EU consistently condemns Nazism and all forms of totalitarianism.
The European Union was created in the aftermath of the Second World War, and European integration has been the foundation of peace and stability on the European continent for over 70 years. The founding fathers of the European Union actively fought against Nazi Germany, with many losing their lives to free Europe from the horrors of Nazism.
The EU condemns racism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance, including antisemitism, which is why it has adopted numerous pieces of legislation to combat these crimes and discrimination, including: the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the EU Framework Decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law.
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