Berlin police imposed a ban on placing Ukrainian and Russian flags near Soviet memorials in Treptow, Tiergarten and Schönholzer-Heide on May 8 and 9. This was reported by the Berliner Morgenpost.
May 8 and 9 mark another anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. And the decision was made in order to ensure "a worthy memory of the fallen soldiers of the Soviet Army at that time."
In particular, the police prohibited these days the singing of marching and military songs and "giving out shouts that, due to the situation, are suitable for approving or glorifying the war in Ukraine."
A similar ban existed last year. At that time, it caused a negative reaction from the Ukrainian side. In particular, the then ambassador of Ukraine in Berlin Andriy Melnyk.
However, the Berlin authorities decided not to change their decision.
"The act of memory and respect for these memorials should also be preserved against the background of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war. This war should not break stereotypes in Berlin, especially taking into account the symbolic date, outside the democratic discourse in conflicts or disputes," the Berlin police said.
