The Russian Embassy in the Czech Republic has reacted sharply to President Peter Paul's statement on Thursday, 8 May 2025, comparing contemporary Russia to Nazi Germany. The embassy described these words as cynical and inappropriate, especially during the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. It posted the criticism on the social network X, stressing that such comparisons insult Russia's historical legacy as one of the main actors in the victory over Nazism.
President Paul made the controversial remark during a speech before a concert marking the anniversary of the end of World War II. Although the exact wording of his words has not been made public, according to the Russian embassy's reaction, it was a parallel between the behaviour of Nazi Germany and current Russian policy. The embassy said in a statement that such comparisons were not only unacceptable but also deeply offensive, especially in the context of celebrations to commemorate the sacrifices and heroism of the Allied Powers, including the then Soviet Union.
"We consider statements that equate Russia with Nazi Germany to be cynical and completely out of line, especially at a time when we are commemorating the heroic victims of World War II," the embassy said on the X network. Russia has long prided itself on its key role in defeating the Nazi regime and therefore sees such statements as an attack on its national identity and historical memory.
Tense Czech-Russian relations
This incident is another manifestation of the long-standing strained relations between Prague and Moscow. Mutual diplomatic disputes have escalated in recent years in connection with a number of events, including the Vrbětice affair, the expulsion of diplomats and Czech support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia. President Pavel's statement and the subsequent reaction of the Russian embassy add fuel to the fire in the already complicated bilateral relations.
According to some analysts, the president's statement may have reflected a broader criticism of authoritarian tendencies in Russian politics or may have served as a warning against Russia's aggressive foreign policy. Russian officials, on the other hand, have repeatedly rejected such parallels, describing them as attempts to rewrite history.
Public reaction
The Russian embassy's statement sparked a lively discussion on Czech social media. Some users consider Russia's reaction justified, as comparisons with Nazi Germany may be perceived as too simplistic and sensitive, especially given the enormous sacrifices made by the Soviet Union during World War II. Others, on the other hand, defend President Paul, arguing that his statement may have been meant in a metaphorical sense, for example, as a criticism of Russia's current aggressive actions on the international stage.
"The president has the right to point out dangerous parallels if he sees them. Russia cannot think that its historical role automatically shields it from criticism," said one user on the X network. Conversely, another user noted: "Comparing Russia to the Nazis is exaggerated and unnecessarily exacerbates the situation. We should honour history and focus on current problems."
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