Russian Spokeswoman Accuses German Chancellor of Using Nazi Slogan During Ukraine President’s Visit, History Professor Disagrees

The Russian Foreign Ministry’s high-profile spokeswoman believes that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz used a Nazi slogan when he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi. A history professor thinks she’s wrong.

Maria Zakharova signs Telegram about the expression “Slava Ukraine”, “Glory to Ukraine”, which has been used by both Volodymyr Zelenskyj, other Ukrainians and also many foreigners since Russia’s full-scale war started on February 24, 2022.

– This is a slogan from the Nazis, claims Zakharova.

– “Glory to Ukraine” was established as the official greeting of the organization of Ukrainian nationalists in 1939. Later a gesture was added: raising a straightened right hand and a response cry “Glory to the heroes!” writes Maria Zakharova.

She mentions, like so many other Russian leaders in recent years, the controversial Ukrainian nationalist and independence activist Stepan Bandra (1909–1959).

– Olaf Scholz crossed a line for all the leaders of post-war Germany: he publicly shouted a Nazi salute, claims Zakharova about what happened during Zelenskyi’s visit on Sunday.

– No, no, it is not possible to interpret it that way, says professor emeritus Kristian Gerner at Lund University to VG.

– Why?

– “Slava Ukraina” and “Slava Rossija” are like “hello Norway” and “hello Sweden”. It’s a phrase that everyone says. It has no ideological color. It is only used patriotically – no matter who uses it, says Kristian Gerner.

– This is again about the Russians trying to destroy the language. The Russian propaganda makes it almost impossible to use words. It places special demands on us who will try to convey this – and the readers. It is a big task to stand against this, the professor believes.

– What do you mean?

– When Zakharova says this, it is for the domestic audience, who believe what she says. To justify the war.

Gerner also draws the historical comparison:

– In the old Soviet Union, people always talked about “fascism”, not “Nazism”, because it is an abbreviation for National Socialism. But the Russians have understood that “Nazism” is perceived worse than “fascism” elsewhere in Europe. Therefore, they have started using it.

This is certainly not the first time Maria Zakharova goes to Nazi attacks against Kyiv and Berlin.

– The delivery of weapons to the ideological heirs of the Nazi accomplice Stepan Bandera makes us ask a rhetorical question – how extensive and complete was the process of de-Nazification in Germany itself after the defeat in the Second World War? she stated a few weeks after the start of the war.