German FM Reveals Reason Behind Upcoming Visit to Moscow

Leaders of many Western nations have refused to visit the Victory Parade in Moscow due to worsening relations between Russia and the West. Frank-Walter Steinmeier explained why he considers his upcoming visit to Moscow necessary.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier explained during his visit to Slovenia why he considers his upcoming visit to Moscow important and necessary.

"Germans are responsible not only for the Nazism madness which Germany unleashed. They are also responsible for the beginning of World War II."

On May 7, Steinmeier and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will lay wreaths at German and Russian military cemeteries.

The German Chancellor will not attend the May 9 Victory Parade, however, Angela Merkel is set to visit Moscow on May 10.

Leaders of Western nations have refused to visit the Victory Parade in Moscow due to worsening relations between Russia and the West. According to the tradition, leaders of many countries are invited to anniversary celebrations of the victory over Nazis in the Great Patriotic War. The leaders of 68 countries have received invitations to the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory as well as heads of the UN, the European Union, the Council of Europe and UNESCO.

Around 26 foreign leaders will attend the celebration. Among them are leaders of CIS nations, Asian countries, BRICS countries and some European countries, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Balkan countries and Cyprus.

The May 9 anniversary Victory Parade on the Red Square will be one of the largest in its history.