'Putler - war criminal': Estonian museum displays poster on border with Russia
Photo: A poster on the border between Estonia and Russia comparing Putin and Hitler (facebook.com/narvamuuseum)
In Estonia, the Narva Museum, located on the border with Russia, displayed a poster during the celebrations of Victory Day in Moscow that equates President Vladimir Putin with the leader of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler, according to the ERR Estonian broadcaster.
This location was chosen deliberately, as the border between the Estonian town of Narva and the Russian town of Ivangorod runs along the Narva River. The wall of the castle, on which the poster reading "Putler - war criminal" is displayed, faces the Ivangorod Fortress, located on Russian territory.
According to the Narva Museum, this message serves as a reminder of the ongoing full-scale war and the war crimes committed by the Russian Federation.
"Today, on Europe Day, we celebrate peace and freedom. With the end of the Second World War, it was peace and freedom, respect for sovereignty, and the principles of solidarity that became the core values of the European community," said the director of the Narva Museum, Maria Smorzhevskikh-Smirnova.
She reminded that, at the same time, the full-scale war that Putin unleashed has been ongoing for almost four years.
"We call a dictator a dictator, and war crimes war crimes," Smorzhevskikh-Smirnova added.
This action has been organized by the Narva Museum multiple times before. The first poster with the inscription "Putin - war criminal" appeared on the castle wall in 2023, sparking mixed reactions in the town.
This year, in response to the propaganda events traditionally organized in Russia ahead of May 9, the poster was displayed again.
Putin's Parade in Moscow for Victory Day
Today, a Victory Day parade took place on Red Square in Moscow, an annual event organized by the aggressor. This year's parade was notable because Chinese leader Xi Jinping attended, and for the first time since the full-scale war began, a representative from an EU member state—Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico—was present.
In his speech during the May 9 parade, Putin claimed that the entire Russian people supposedly support the "heroes of the special military operation" and that "the truth is on Russia's side."
The Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), however, pointed out that these words from Putin are yet another example of how Kremlin propaganda attempts to equate the events of World War II with the current armed aggression against Ukraine.
It is an attempt to justify the aggressive, genocidal war against Ukraine, wrapped in the guise of "historical memory" and the "fight against Nazism," the CCD added.
Europe Day
In Ukraine, May 8 is celebrated as the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II.
Meanwhile, today, May 9, Ukraine observes Europe Day. Previously, this day was associated with the Great Patriotic War among Ukrainians. However, Ukraine is moving away from Soviet traditions.
Ukraine began celebrating Europe Day in 2003, following a decree by then-President Leonid Kuchma. Initially, it was celebrated on the third Saturday of May. In May 2023, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree officially moving the celebration of Europe Day to May 9, aligning it with the European tradition.
This became another signal that Ukraine sees itself as part of the European family, not only politically but also culturally.
