MEPs criticise EU policy on Ukraine as disastrous and call for a new start in European-Russian relations on the 80th anniversary of liberation from German fascism in Moscow

A group of five MEPs from Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Cyprus are travelling to Moscow for a two-day visit, followed by a trip to Ukraine. They consider talks and exchanges at all levels to be necessary in order to overcome the growing spiral of confrontation and escalation in Europe. 

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's surrender and the end of World War II in Europe, we are travelling to Moscow on 9 and 10 May 2025 with a group of five MEPs from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Cyprus and Germany for a two-day visit. We will take part in the celebrations marking the anniversary of the victory over German fascism and hold talks with parliamentarians and other representatives from politics and culture.

With this visit, we want to make it clear that we consider dialogue and exchange at all levels to be necessary in order to overcome the spiralling confrontation and escalation in Europe.

After our visit to Moscow, we are also planning a trip to Kiev. We are already in contact with the Ukrainian Embassy about this.

Our visit to Moscow is scheduled to take place during the announced ceasefire in the war in Ukraine. We would also like to send a signal that we are committed to a permanent end to the fighting in Ukraine.

We consider a continuation of the war, as advocated by the EU, to be catastrophic.

Instead of a gigantic arms programme, the EU needs to commit to diplomacy and a lasting peace solution in Europe, as well as a new beginning in European-Russian relations. We are committed to this.

The focus must once again be on de-escalation.

Strasbourg, 7 May 2025

Press release by MEPs Michael von der Schulenburg and Ruth Firmenich

Michael von der Schulenburg, former Assistant Secretary-General (ASG), worked for the United Nations for 34 years and briefly for the OSCE in leadership positions in development and peace missions in many crisis regions around the world, including Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Haiti, Somalia, Syria and Sierra Leone (see www.michael-von-der-schulenburg.com). He has published extensively on issues of war and peace, non-state armed actors and UN reforms. He is currently a Member of the European Parliament for the Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht.

Ruth Firmenich is a political scientist. She was Sahra Wagenknecht's office manager for 20 years and is a founding member of the new Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht party. Since 2024, she has been a member of the European Parliament, where she works with Michael von der Schulenburg on issues of European foreign and security policy.

See also: ‘Sending a signal for a ceasefire’: Members of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance travel to Moscow for victory celebrations

On 9 May, Russia celebrates Victory Day over Nazi Germany 80 years ago, traditionally one day later than Germany. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin had ordered a three-day ceasefire around the date, which is celebrated in Moscow with a military parade. Kiev, on the other hand, is demanding that the weapons remain silent for at least 30 days.

According to the Kremlin, 29 foreign heads of state and government as well as soldiers from 13 countries will take part in the military parade in Russia on Friday. Among them is Chinese President Xi Jinping. He is expected to arrive today for a four-day state visit.