Commemorating the end of the war 80 years on

Berlin (dpa/d.de) – Total military defeat, collapse, liberation from the National Socialist dictatorship, a new beginning – 8 May 1945 stands for all of this. And in the western part of Germany at least, this day marked the beginning of a democratic future. 80 years on, numerous commemorative events are taking place across Germany, including an ecumenical service attended by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (photo). The Bundestag will also be holding a commemorative session to mark this historic turning point. 

The main address will be given by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. What lessons can we draw from 8 May for today? This is the question Steinmeier will seek to answer. 

According to the Office of the Federal President, Steinmeier also plans to address the war in Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s distortion of history. He will also speak about the pressure on the international legal order – not least by the US administration under President Donald Trump – and the rise of right-wing extremism and nationalism in many Western democracies. 

Diplomats based in Germany have been invited to attend, but not the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus. They are unwelcome because of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. 

The Second World War unleashed by Hitler claimed an estimated 60 million lives around the world. Victory over Nazi Germany is also being marked in the capitals of the Allied powers. The largest military parade will take place tomorrow in Moscow. A parade was already held in London on Monday.