Olaf Scholz and Elon Musk.Photo: Eurointegration.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made a high-profile statement that caused a grudging outcry in the Kremlin. He sharply criticised American billionaire Elon Musk for supporting the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. During his speech, Scholz stressed that Germany was liberated from the Nazi regime thanks to the United States, causing a new wave of tension in international relations.
This was reported by Time Ukraine Israel, citing Israel’s Channel 9.
Musk and his support for far-right forces
German media outlets, including the Esslinger Zeitung, recalled that Musk has repeatedly publicly expressed support for the AfD. He even had an online meeting with its leader on his X platform and spoke at an AfD event via video link. In particular, Musk said that Germany was focusing too much on its historical guilt over Nazism. This statement was the subject of a strong reaction from Scholz, who said: “Without the help of the United States, Germany would not have been able to get rid of Nazism, and now Musk is supporting forces that deny the importance of our history.”
Scholz’s critique of historical memory
The German Chancellor noted that it is difficult to understand how a person who is aware of the importance of the fight against Nazism can support far-right political forces that try to minimise the crimes committed by the Nazis during World War II. “Musk should remember how many innocent people, including Jews, died at the hands of the Nazi regime,” Scholz said.
Kremlin’s reaction: historical truth and propaganda
In response to these accusations, the Kremlin did not hesitate to react. Dmitry Peskov, the Russian president’s spokesman, said that the role of the Soviet Union in the victory over Nazism was being belittled: “The people of the Soviet Union made a huge contribution to the victory over Nazism, and this should never be forgotten. The military efforts aimed at liberating Europe from the ‘brown plague’ were achieved through huge losses.” Peskov also commented on recent events in Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of glorifying Nazi elements. He urged Europe not to forget the role the Soviet Union played in the fight against fascism, warning of the possible negative consequences of revising history.
International tensions and historical memory
This dispute was another stage in the deterioration of diplomatic relations between the Western world and the Kremlin. For Scholz, it is important to preserve the memory of the horrors of Nazism and prevent their distortion in the current political context. For its part, the Kremlin is trying to restore its geopolitical position by emphasising its “liberating” contribution to history, which often becomes the basis for further propaganda.