Berlin police banned the use of Russian and Ukrainian flags at Soviet memorials in Treptow Park, Tiergarten and Schönholzer Heide on May 8 and 9. According to TASS, the ban does not apply to diplomats and veterans of World War II.
In order to ensure a “worthy memory of the fallen soldiers of the Soviet Army”, as indicated by the Berlin police, the performance of marching and military songs near three memorials is also prohibited. In addition, “it is forbidden to make appeals that, due to the current situation, can be used to approve or glorify” the special military operation of the Russian Federation in Ukraine. The memory and respect of these memorials and monuments, as indicated by the Berlin police, must be preserved even against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
They clarified that, like last year, the ban does not apply to diplomats and veterans of World War II.
A similar ban on the use of flags already existed last year. At one time, this caused a lot of criticism from the Ukrainian side, including from the then Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Andriy Melnyk. The Berlin Senate indicated that it would like the memorable dates of the Second World War not to be overshadowed by possible conflicts in connection with the current situation in Ukraine.
Source: Rosbalt
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