Police seize the Ukrainian flag from activists in Berlin. Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, reacting to the actions of the police, said that "Berlin made a mistake by banning Ukrainian symbols."
May 8, in Berlin, during a commemorative event marking the end of World War II in Europe, the local police rolled up a large Ukrainian flag, which a group of Ukrainian activists unfurled.
The details of the incident were reported by the participant of the action in Berlin, Ukrainian activist Oleksandr Snidalov on the air of the informational telethon.
He noted that the Ukrainian petition to the Senate of Berlin to ban Russian symbols during events marking the Day of the End of World War II in Europe was successful.
“Russian symbols have been banned, but at the same time, the use of the Ukrainian flag on the territory of memorials has also been banned. This is justice in German, where they are trying to show detachment and ensure all rights. In fact, it turned into a farce,†Snidalov said.
The Ukrainian activist said that the participants of the action in Berlin brought and unfurled a thirty-meter Ukrainian flag to the memorial to those who died in World War II. However, the Berlin police found the flag too large and asked them to roll up the flag.
"We refused to roll up the Ukrainian flag and explained that our soldiers are now fighting for the freedom of Ukraine with this symbol. The police had to do it on their own, but many people saw the Ukrainian symbol of independence," Snidalov stressed.
The Ukrainian activist added that the Russians are very painfully experiencing the ban on Russian symbols in Berlin during events marking the end of World War II in Europe.
"We have information that on May 9, the Russians are preparing various actions. They want to put on St. George ribbons and conduct their Immortal Regiment. But we are ready for any provocations from Russian supporters, and we will resist them," Snidalov said. .
Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, reacting to the actions of the Berlin police, wrote:
Berlin made a mistake by prohibiting Ukrainian symbols. It’s deeply false to treat them equally with Russian symbols. Taking a Ukrainian flag away from peaceful protestors is an attack on everyone who now defends Europe and Germany from Russian aggression with this flag in hands.
Dmitry Kuleba
And the Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, called the incident with the Ukrainian flag "a huge shame for Berlin on May 8."
The Berlin police, in order to prevent possible conflict situations, banned the use of symbols, including Ukrainian, during events marking the end of World War II in Europe on May 8-9.
At the same time, the authorities of Berlin allowed Ukrainian symbols within an hour, during a commemorative event dedicated to the Day of the end of World War II in Europe, which the Ukrainian embassy will hold.
