Russia’s ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechayev, on Friday laid wreaths at Soviet memorials in Berlin to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Russia’s ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechayev, visited both the huge memorial in Treptower Park, in the former East Berlin, and the site in Tiergarten near the Brandenburg Gate, which was part of the city’s western sector.
On Thursday, the ambassador laid a wreath at the Schönholzer Heide memorial in northern Berlin, the site of a huge Soviet cemetery.
In Russia, the anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany is commemorated on May 9, while in Europe the war’s end is celebrated on May 8.
The Russian ambassador was accompanied by representatives of other states that were once Soviet republics, as well as bodyguards.
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The diplomat was wearing the so-called St. George’s ribbon on his lapel, which is considered a symbol of Russian nationalism.
Ribbon banned, but not for diplomats
The Berlin police had banned the wearing of the ribbon, as well as the display of other pro-Russian flags and symbols, near the Soviet memorials on both days of the commemoration.
However, diplomats and veterans of the Allied powers of World War II are exempt from these restrictions.
The ambassador’s actions came as Russian President Vladimir Putin marked the anniversary of the war’s end with a massive military parade in Moscow.
(dpa)
