German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in a conversation she had with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has raised the issue of his attendance at a military parade which will take place in Crimea on Friday, May 9, said the German Foreign Minister Frank -Walter Steinmeier on Thursday.
According to the Russian media, Putin is likely to visit Crimea for the first time after the annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula by Russia, in order to attend the military parade on May 9, a commemoration marking victory over Nazi Germany.
This visit, which has not been confirmed yet, is viewed unfavorably by Berlin, due to the tensions brought on by the crisis in Ukraine.

“The chancellor has asked Vladimir Putin personally about this (during their telephone conversation) and he left the answer open about whether he would personally attend,” revealed Steinmeier in a press conference on the public broadcaster WDR.

“The military parade is not good. Were Putin to take part, it would make things more difficult than they already are,” he added, referring to the strenuous diplomatic efforts to start a de-escalation of the crisis in Ukraine.

“I think it is a shame if such a day is used to hold a parade in such an area of conflict,” the German Chancellor stated on Tuesday.

“May 9 is an incredibly important day associated with the victory over Nazism (…). I visited Moscow four years ago on May 9 as it was important for me (to show) that we understand the history and that we will make sure no such events occur again” she added.