Peace Ride From Berlin to Moscow Stops Over in the Leningrad Region

© AFP 2023 / JOHN MACDOUGALLView of the Reichstag building which houses the Bundestag lower house of parliament, in Berlin
View of the Reichstag building which houses the Bundestag lower house of parliament, in Berlin - Sputnik International
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Participants in the Peace Ride from Berlin to Moscow made a stop in the Leningrad Region and laid flowers at the Partisan Glory memorial complex, the regional government’s press service reports.

"The Peace Ride from Berlin to Moscow motor rally made a stop near the Partisan Glory memorial complex in the Luga District of the Leningrad Region. The participants in the motor rally met with district residents, veterans and representatives of the Leningrad Region's administration," the report reads.

According to peace activist Owe Schattauer, one of the rally organisers, the media has been waging a propaganda war against Russia in recent years.

"The confusion and despair caused by this has been replaced by feelings of anger, and we decided not to allow anyone to manipulate us anymore, so we are responding in the German people's name. None of us is a professional activist for peace and no organisation is paying for our motor rally. However, we speak on behalf of the majority of Germans because we know from opinion polls that about 85 per cent of citizens of Germany and some other European countries do not agree with these anti-Russian policies. We must do everything we can to foster understanding between nations. I am in Russia for the first time and I've never seen such a hospitable country," he said.

"Our hearts experience the same feelings, we all want to live in peace and be happy," said another of the rally organisers, representative of the German-Russian Friendship Centre Rainer Rothfuss.

policeman walks on the Red Square near the St Basil 's Cathedral on May 6, 2016 in Moscow - Sputnik International
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In turn, Andrei Minin, head of the External Relations Committee of the Leningrad Region pointed out that the region's residents are following the motor rally with great interest.

"In spite of the unfavourable political climate, the participants in the Peace Ride are showing the world that the people of our countries want to live in peace, be good friends and neighbours and will always maintain friendly relations," he said.

Chairman of the Youth Policy Committee of the Leningrad Region Oleg Ivanov recalled the fierce fighting that took place on the soil of the Leningrad Region during World War II. He said that for many residents of the region the history of the war is their family history.

"Both words ‘world' as in universe and ‘peace' as in the absence of war are translated in Russian using the same word. The Peace Ride is your message to the world against war," he said.

Participants in the Peace Ride, a convoy of 70 cars and nine motorcycles, are covering the distance of 4,200 kilometres from Berlin to Moscow and back. About 250 people are taking part. The symbol of the motor rally is a white dove set against the background of the German and Russian flags.    

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