The Dutch authorities denied Russian diplomats the opportunity to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust as part of the annual ceremony of the Dutch Auschwitz Committee. This was announced on January 27 by the Russian Embassy in The Hague on Twitter.
Representatives of the diplomatic department expressed their regret in connection with such a decision.
“Whatever the reservations about the current political situation, this decision is highly politicized and completely contradicts the statements of the Dutch side about the continued gratitude to the Red Army and the people of the Soviet Union for the liberation of Europe from fascism,” the publication says.
The diplomatic department added that the Russian side has repeatedly spoken about the importance of preserving historical memory and preventing changes in the results of World War II.
Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said it was the Soviet people who put an end to Nazi Germany’s plans in 1945 in the first place. He stressed that any attempt to reconsider Russia’s contribution to the victory means justifying the crimes of Nazism.
On January 25, it became known that the Polish authorities did not invite representatives of the Russian Federation to commemorative events in honor of the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. He added that the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum in Poland closed the Russian exposition in May 2022, as its curator, the Victory Museum in Moscow, cannot pay for its maintenance due to sanctions. At the same time, the directorate of the museum did not agree on alternative solutions to this issue.
Earlier, on December 21, 2022, Putin said, however, if they are being fought in Russia, then in Ukraine they are elevated to the rank of national heroes. The head of state pointed out that Ukraine is using neo-Nazis to fight Russia, and no one notices the “underpinnings of fascism” in this.
Day of liberation of Auschwitz by the Red Army January 27 is revered throughout the world as the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Holocaust.
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special operation to protect Donbass. The decision was made against the background of the aggravation of the situation in the region as a result of shelling by the Ukrainian military.
For more up-to-date videos and details about the situation in Donbass, watch the Izvestia TV channel.
