Note that the three authors of this piece are all former US Ambassadors to Ukraine. Also note that they use the term "V-E" day instead of Victory Day. V-E day is the term used widely in Europe and is celebrated on May 8th. Victory Day is used in the former Soviet Union and is celebrated on May 9th. Discussions have been held about dropping the May 9th date and moving to May 8th for the celebration, but official calendars are not reflecting a change as of now.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron have rightly turned down Vladimir Putin's invitation to go to Moscow on May 9 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Allies' victory in Europe, and President Obama may soon follow suit.
However, there is still a way for Western leaders to attend a commemoration that honors the heroism and sacrifice of the Soviet people during World War II, and Merkel, Cameron and Obama should seize the opportunity because this will be the last major anniversary for so many veterans and other war survivors.
Instead of commemorating V-E Day in Moscow, they should go to Kiev.
It was the combined efforts of the Soviet Union, United States, Britain, France, Canada, Poland and others that defeated Nazi Germany. Many Americans, however, do not appreciate that, for much of the war, the Red Army carried the brunt of the fight against Adolf Hitler's Wehrmacht. Soviet forces confronted and destroyed far more German divisions than did the Western allies' armies once they landed in Italy in 1943 and France in 1944.
Complete story at - Kiev, not Moscow, should be the choice for marking V-E Day - LA Times
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron have rightly turned down Vladimir Putin's invitation to go to Moscow on May 9 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Allies' victory in Europe, and President Obama may soon follow suit.
However, there is still a way for Western leaders to attend a commemoration that honors the heroism and sacrifice of the Soviet people during World War II, and Merkel, Cameron and Obama should seize the opportunity because this will be the last major anniversary for so many veterans and other war survivors.
Instead of commemorating V-E Day in Moscow, they should go to Kiev.
It was the combined efforts of the Soviet Union, United States, Britain, France, Canada, Poland and others that defeated Nazi Germany. Many Americans, however, do not appreciate that, for much of the war, the Red Army carried the brunt of the fight against Adolf Hitler's Wehrmacht. Soviet forces confronted and destroyed far more German divisions than did the Western allies' armies once they landed in Italy in 1943 and France in 1944.
Complete story at - Kiev, not Moscow, should be the choice for marking V-E Day - LA Times
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