West’s negative attitude to May 9 hinders ties with Russia — political scientist

TASS · 🇷🇺 public Russia · May 11, 2026 · 412 words

Historical Memory Diplomatic Conflict Russia-West Relations

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What to know about Historical Memory

Dutch political scientist Kees van der Pijl and Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticize Western countries for their perceived dismissiveness of Victory Day and the Soviet Union's role in defeating Nazism. The article highlights specific restrictions placed by Berlin police on Soviet and Russian symbols at memorials during May celebrations.

Propaganda risk 40%

Claims checked 8

Techniques found 3

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Right coverage

Left14%

Center86%

Right0%

7 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

The dismissive attitude of many Western countries toward Victory Day and attempts to downplay the Soviet Union’s role in the fight against Nazism are hindering a return to full-fledged dialogue with Russia, Dutch political scientist Kees van der Pijl said in…

Why it matters

"The way they (Western countries - TASS note) behaved on May 9 was disgraceful.

Common ground

This rules out a return to full-fledged diplomacy," he said, responding to a question about whether he sees signs of Western countries' willingness to adjust their position on Russia and the Ukrainian conflict.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Glittering Generalities, Oversimplification: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Historical Memory story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that the performance of Russian marches and military songs, including all versions of The Holy War, was prohibited?
How does this story connect Historical Memory with Diplomatic Conflict over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://tass.com/world/2129435

analyticsAnalysis

40%

Propaganda Score

confidence: 90%

Moderate concerns. Notable use of persuasive or loaded language.

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 3 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 95% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Glittering Generalities 70% confidence

Using vague, emotionally appealing phrases ('freedom', 'justice') without specifics.

Why it matters: Recognizing glittering generalities helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Oversimplification 80% confidence

Reducing a complex issue to a simplistic framing that distorts understanding.

Why it matters: Recognizing oversimplification helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 8 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 5

info Single Source 2

verified Verified By Reference 1

info

Claim 1: “the performance of Russian marches and military songs, including all versions of The Holy War, was prohibited”

SINGLE SOURCE

While other sources mention a general ban on 'military marches' (e.g., TASS), there is no specific evidence in the provided results confirming a ban specifically on 'The Holy War' or all versions of Russian marches.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Russian military is estimated to be the second (after the US) on the list of the strongest militaries in the world.Cadets of the Military University of Russian Defence Ministry march during a rehe…
https://www.rbth.com/science-and-tech/331094-everything-abou…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — of the Russian Federation on Kyiv, including against decision-making centers, should the Kyiv regime carry out its criminal terrorist plans during the days of the Victory Day celebrations. Military Su…
https://t.me/s/militarysummary

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — This interactive tool allows users to inspect 225 known Russian military objects in Russia that are in range of Ukrainian ATACMS.
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/8b060c46ee6f49908f9fb41…

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Claim 2: “This included prohibiting the wearing of military uniforms, insignia, the display of the letters V and Z, St. George ribbons, flags and banners associated with Russia, the flags of the USSR, Belarus, the Chechen Republic, portraits of their leaders, and the flags of the DPR and LPR”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources (Dagens.com, Web Search) confirm the Berlin police ban included USSR flags, Belarus/Chechnya flags, and Putin portraits. Wikipedia confirms the nature of the St. George ribbon.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — St. George's Church (Englische Kirche zu St. Georg between 1885 and 1944) is an Anglican church in Berlin, Germany, a parish of the Diocese in Europe of the Church of England. The original building wa…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._George's_Anglican_Church,_…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Berlin is the capital of Germany, as well as its largest city by both area and population. With 4 million inhabitants, it has the highest population within its city limits of any city in the European …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The ribbon of Saint George (also known as Saint George's ribbon, the Georgian ribbon; Russian: Георгиевская лента, romanized: Georgiyevskaya lenta; and the Guards ribbon in Soviet context) is a Russia…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribbon_of_Saint_George

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 3: “In 2025, Berlin police also banned the display of Soviet and Russian flags, St. George ribbons, and the performance of military marches at Soviet memorials in the German capital on May 8-9”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources (RBB24 via web search, TASS, UNN via Berliner Morgenpost) confirm that Berlin police banned Russian/Soviet flags, St. George ribbons, and military marches at memorials on May 8-9.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Berlin police will reinstate the ban on the use of Soviet and pro-Russian symbols during commemorative events on May 8 and 9 near Soviet memorials. This was reported by Berliner Morgenpost, according …
https://unn.ua/en/news/berlin-to-ban-soviet-symbols-at-may-8…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Berlin police have prohibited the display of Russian flags, St. George's ribbons, and symbols glorifying the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war near Soviet memorials on May 8 and 9, according to a report from…
https://english.nv.ua/nation/berlin-bans-russian-flags-st-ge…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Last year, Berlin police banned the display of Soviet and Russian flags and St. George’s ribbons, as well as the playing of military marches, at Soviet memorials in the German capital on May 8-9.
https://tass.com/society/2127349

info

Claim 4: “The ban applied to all people in the restricted zones, with the exception of diplomats and members of diplomatic delegations, as well as veterans of the Great Patriotic War”

SINGLE SOURCE

The provided evidence for this claim consists of general Wikipedia entries about Berlin and its travel website, which do not mention the specific exemptions for diplomats or veterans in the police ban.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Berlin is home to several universities, such as the Humboldt University of Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, the Berlin University of the Arts and the Free University of Berlin. The Berlin Zoolog…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Berlin/Brandenburg metropolitan region (German: Metropolregion Berlin-Brandenburg) or capital region (Hauptstadtregion Berlin-Brandenburg) is one of eleven metropolitan regions of Germany, consist…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin/Brandenburg_Metropolita…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Our travel service offers the ideal way to enjoy a stress-free holiday in Berlin, making it easy to buy tickets online for sightseeing tours, museums and exhibitions, attractions, sights and shows.
https://www.visitberlin.de/en

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Claim 5: “on May 6, Berlin police issued an order banning Soviet symbols from memorials in Treptow, Tiergarten, and Schoenholzer Heide parks on May 8-9”

CORROBORATED

The ban on Soviet symbols at Treptower Park, Tiergarten, and Schoenholzer Heide on May 8-9 is reported by TASS and Harici.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Soviet War Memorial is a war memorial and military cemetery in Berlin's Treptower Park. It was built to the design of the Soviet architect Yakov Belopolsky to commemorate 7,000 of the 80,000 Red A…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_War_Memorial_(Treptower…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Berlin police banned Soviet symbols at WWII memorials on the 80th anniversary of liberation from fascism, sparking debate and criticism from media and parties.
https://harici.com.tr/en/berlin-police-ban-soviet-symbols-on…

+ 1 more evidence source

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Claim 6: “the General Secretariat of the Council of the EU completely ignored the historical significance of May 9 and declared that the EU 'will celebrate Europe Day'”

CORROBORATED

The claim that the EU celebrates Europe Day on May 9 is verified by Wikipedia and the Consilium website. The specific accusation that the General Secretariat 'ignored' Victory Day is reported in a web search result discussing Russia's warnings.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Council of the European Union, often referred to in the treaties and other official documents simply as the Council, and less formally known as the Council of Ministers, is the third of the seven …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_the_European_Union

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Within the European Union (EU), Directorates-General are departments with specific zones of responsibility. Within the European Commission specifically, Directorates-General are the equivalent of nati…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directorate-General

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union (GSC), also known as Council Secretariat, assists the Council of the European Union, the presidency of the Council of the European Union, t…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Secretariat_of_the_Cou…

+ 3 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 7: “Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Western politicians cannot change the fact that the Soviet soldier saved the world from Nazism”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

While Wikipedia confirms Maria Zakharova is the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, the provided search results do not contain the specific quote or statement regarding Soviet soldiers saving the world from Nazism.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — For All Mankind is an American science fiction drama television series created and written by Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi and produced for Apple TV+. The series dramatizes an alternat…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_For_All_Mankind_charac…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Maria is a feminine given name. It is given in many languages influenced by Christianity. It was used as the feminine form of the unrelated Roman name Marius (see Maria gens), and, after Christianity …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_(given_name)

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Maria Vladimirovna Zakharova (Russian: Мария Владимировна Захарова, IPA: [mɐˈrʲijə vlɐˈdʲimʲɪrəvnə zɐˈxarəvə]; born 24 December 1975) is a Russian diplomat who serves as the director of the informatio…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Zakharova

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 8: “Dutch political scientist Kees van der Pijl said in an interview with TASS that the dismissive attitude of many Western countries toward Victory Day and attempts to downplay the Soviet Union’s role in the fight against Nazism are hindering a return to full-fledged dialogue with Russia”

CORROBORATED

The claim is directly reported by TASS and its Telegram channel, and the identity of Kees van der Pijl as a Dutch political scientist is confirmed by Wikipedia.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The dismissive attitude of many Western countries toward Victory Day and attempts to downplay the Soviet Union’s role in the fight against Nazism are hindering a return to full-fledged dialogue with R…
https://tass.com/world/2129435

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Kees van der Pijl is a Dutch political scientist who was professor of international relations at the University of Sussex. He is known for his critical approach to global political economy and has pub…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kees_van_der_Pijl

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.