# German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has criticised Russia over the Ukraine war, as he marked the Nazi defeat that ended World War II in Europe 80 years ago. Steinmeier expressed gratitude to the Allied soldiers and resistance movements who defeated Nazi Germany. He also praised the Soviet Red Army, in which Russian and Ukrainian troops fought side-by-side, for their role in the Nazis’ defeat. Russia has cast its three-year offensive against Ukraine as a fight against “neo-Nazis”. But Steinmeier says the war against Ukraine is not a continuation of the fight against fascism.
German President criticises Russia over Ukraine war and links to victory over Nazi Germany