German Chancellor Angela Merkel touched upon on a subject that is taboo for the German people during her message for the 70-year anniversary since the end of World War 2 on May 8. Speaking about the dark pages of German history and the Nazi atrocities during WWII, Merkel underlined that nobody should draw a segregational line with Germany’s past. Her statement, in collaboration with comments made by German President Joachim Gauck on Friday, show that Germany may be reconsidering the issue of war reparations.

Her videotaped message stated that under History “there is no segregational line”. “We, Germans, have a special responsibility on this matter to deal with it with care, sensitivity and awareness of what we caused during the National Socialist period,” she said. Her unprecedented reference to the issue comes at a time when Greece is looking into claims for war reparations owed by Germany.

“Of course, it is important that, for instance, we not only discuss this with Greece but with many other countries,” stated Merkel, without directly refering to war reparations. Merkel will visit Moscow on May 10 to jointly lay a wreath with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Monument for the Unknown Soldier as tribute to the millions who died as a result of German atrocities during WWII.