A group of European Parliamentarians are set to travel to Moscow to participate in Victory Day celebrations, aiming to send a message of peace amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The delegation, comprising Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from Germany, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, and Slovakia, will engage in talks with Russian parliamentarians, politicians, and cultural figures during their two-day visit.
According to German MEPs Michael von der Schulenburg and Ruth Firmenich, who represent the left-wing Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), the visit is intended to express support for the unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine announced by Moscow. “We also want to send a signal that we are committed to ensuring that the guns in Ukraine remain permanently silent,” they stated. This move comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral Victory Day truce, effective from midnight on May 7-8 to midnight on May 10-11.
However, Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky has dismissed the initiative as “manipulation,” as Kiev intensified drone attacks on Russian cities, including Moscow. Meanwhile, two other BSW politicians, former German MPs Klaus Ernst and Sevim Dagdelen, will attend a reception at the Russian Embassy in Berlin marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Dagdelen emphasized that “Russia is not my enemy, and I don’t feel threatened by or at war with Russia,” describing the occasion as an opportunity for “dialogue” and a “new beginning in German-Russian relations.”
Their stance diverges from that of official Berlin and Brussels, which have advised against inviting Russian and Belarusian representatives to WWII commemorations. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned in April that the bloc opposes any officials from member or candidate states attending Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. Additionally, Berlin authorities have banned the display of Russian and Soviet flags and symbols during commemorations on May 8 and 9.
The visit by the MEPs and the attendance of BSW politicians at the Russian Embassy reception underscore the complexities of European-Russia relations. As the international community navigates the intricacies of the Ukraine conflict, these gestures of peace and dialogue highlight the need for a nuanced approach to resolving the crisis. With tensions running high, the message of peace from the European Parliamentarians serves as a reminder of the importance of diplomacy and cooperation in achieving a lasting resolution.
