SHARE
COPY LINK

UKRAINE

Berlin court overturns May 8-9 ban on Ukrainian flags

A Berlin court has overturned a ban imposed by the German capital's police on Ukrainian flags around Soviet monuments on May 8 and 9, police said Saturday.

Berlin court overturns May 8-9 ban on Ukrainian flags
A Ukrainian flag is displayed at the Soviet War Memorial in Tiergarten in Berlin on May 8, 2022. Photo: John MACDOUGALL/AFP.

Police had prohibited both Ukrainian and Russian flags at three Soviet memorials in the capital on the two days, when the end of World War II is commemorated.

They had argued that “the act of remembrance as well as the respect for these memorials and monuments must be preserved against the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.”

But the court took a “different view on our threat assessment and has allowed the display of Ukrainian flags and banners as well as Ukrainian marches and military songs” at the sites, police said, adding that they will not appeal against the decision.

The challenge against Berlin police’s order was filed by a Ukrainian organisation.

Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany Oleksiy Makeiev had urged authorities to “revise the decision and to find a solution together”.

“The German people have no problem with the Ukrainian flag,” argued Makeiev, pointing out that it is already flying at many institutions in solidarity with Kyiv’s efforts to repel Russian invaders.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

UKRAINE

German economy minister makes unexpected visit to Ukraine

German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck unexpectedly arrived in Kyiv on Thursday to discuss post-war reconstruction and show support after Russian attacks on key Ukrainian infrastructure.

German economy minister makes unexpected visit to Ukraine

“This visit comes at a time when Ukraine needs all the support it can get in its fight for freedom,” Habeck told reporters in the Ukrainian capital.

“And it is a fight for freedom, that’s the important thing that the world, Europe and Germany mustn’t forget,” he said, adding that Ukraine was “fighting for the values that define Europe”.

The trip comes after Germany at the weekend announced it was sending an additional Patriot air defence system to Ukraine after pleas from Kyiv for its Western backer to urgently help foil Russian attacks.

Ukraine has said it is running out of weaponry to shoot down Russian missiles and drones as Moscow ramps up attacks on energy infrastructure.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday urged fellow EU leaders to urgently follow Berlin’s lead and send more air defence systems to Ukraine.

Habeck, who was accompanied by a business delegation on the trip, will hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

He will also meet with Ukrainian officials to discuss emergency aid and business ties as well as preparations for the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference to be held in Berlin in June, the German economy ministry said in a statement.

“Comprehensive support for Ukraine also includes support for a resilient energy supply and reconstruction. Private sector investment is crucial for this to succeed,” Habeck was quoted as saying in the statement.

The World Bank has estimated the total cost of reconstruction facing Ukraine more than two years since the start of the war is at least $486 billion.

OPINION: Germany’s timid strategy risks both Ukraine’s defeat and more war in Europe

SHOW COMMENTS