Invitation: Conference "From War to Occupation: 80 years since the victory of a divided Europe in 1945”

On Tuesday 13 May Members of the European Parliament Ms. Rasa Juknevičienė (EPP, Lithuania) and Ms. Inese Vaidere (EPP, Latvia) will host a conference "From War to Occupation: 80 years since the victory of a divided Europe in 1945”.

May 8, 1945 marked the end of World War II in Europe – a moment of liberation, the defeat of Nazism, and the foundation of European integration as a project of peace and prosperity. Yet for millions in Central and Eastern Europe, the end of the war did not bring freedom. Soviet occupation and communist totalitarianism continued for nearly half a century, suppressing national sovereignty and prolonging armed resistance. While Western Europe rebuilt and moved forward, Eastern Europe remained trapped behind the Iron Curtain, which left lasting economic, political, and social consequences.

Rasa Juknevičienė MEP, EPP Group, chair of the EP Historical Remembrance Group, says: "The need for a common European remembrance has never been about the past, it is about our future. Today it has become existential. Russia’s war of aggression and threats against Europe require a deep reckoning with our history in all of its complexity. On 8 May 1945, the war only ended for a part of Europe. For many in the east of the continent it marked the start of Soviet occupation and totalitarian oppression. In the Baltics, we greeted the “end of war” fighting for survival: in the forests, in Stalin’s gulags, in deportation, in prisons, and in emigration. Today we continue to grapple with the legacy of WWII as our failure to unequivocally condemn Soviet crimes has left Russia’s imperial ambitions unchallenged."

"Europe is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. While this brought peace to Western Europe, it brought us a second terrible occupation. Unfortunately, the crimes committed by Russia have never been fully condemned internationally. The totalitarian regime in Russia has been reborn and redraws its spheres of influence. This is proof that the legacy of the Second World War remains unresolved," explains Inese Vaidere MEP, EPP Group, a member of the European Parliament's Historical Remembrance Group.

Vaidere believes that it is now more important than ever to speak out about the brutality of the Russian army. The murders and rapes in Ukraine are a continuation of the crimes that the Russian army, the so-called liberator of the Second World War, committed against women in Germany. The facts are coming to light about hundreds of thousands of women who have been raped. Many of them died or committed suicide. "In order to help Ukraine, we need to tirelessly explain to the Western public the true nature of Russia, its imperialist motivation for the war in Ukraine and the cruelty of its army," the MEP stresses.

One of the key speakers, historian Dr.hist. Gatis Krūmiņš points out: "The Baltic states were under Soviet colonial occupation for almost half a century. This situation significantly hampered the development of our nations, and we are still feeling the negative consequences. It is our moral and legal duty to demand accountability from those who committed this international crime. It is clear that the sense of impunity encourages the successor to the USSR to commit new crimes.

The conference takes place on 13 May 16:00-18:30 at room 5G1 the European Parliament in Brussels. It can also be followed online by registering in advance here.