From Warsaw to Rome, Europe came together this week to mark 80 years since Victory in Europe (VE) Day, the moment Allied forces triumphed over Fascism and Nazism in 1945. Parades, wreath-laying ceremonies, and digital tributes unfolded across capitals, underscoring the enduring need for peace and unity.
In Poland, nationwide events culminated in Warsaw’s Wesoła district, home to the Tadeusz Kościuszko Armored Brigade. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk used the occasion to vow stronger defense capabilities, pledging to safeguard the nation against future threats.
On social media, President Andrzej Duda shared a heartfelt appeal: “No more war!” He urged a global order built on the force of law rather than the law of force, reminding followers that World War II’s memories demand responsible stewardship of peace.
Over in Germany, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier acknowledged his country’s historical responsibility, warning against the rise of extremist forces and reaffirming Germany’s commitment to post-war international principles. In a historic joint statement, 48 CEOs of top companies—including BASF, Evonik, Siemens, Bayer, and Deutsche Bank—recognized their firms’ past roles and called for united action against hatred, exclusion, and antisemitism.
On the eve of VE Day, newly-elected Chancellor Friedrich Merz met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Once enemies, the two leaders highlighted the gift of reconciliation that German-French friendship represents. As Merz reflected, “Our friendship is a gift of forgiveness and reconciliation, especially for us Germans.”
In the United Kingdom, nearly 30,000 ceramic poppies cascaded down the Tower of London walls, each representing a life lost in the war. King Charles and Queen Camilla reviewed a grand military parade outside Buckingham Palace, part of a four-day remembrance event.
Italy’s Liberation Day on April 25 saw parades in Rome, Milan, and Florence. Museums and parks opened free to the public. President Sergio Mattarella, alongside Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. “Defending the freedom of the European peoples is a shared task,” Mattarella urged.
Further east, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico laid a wreath at the Red Army Military Cemetery in Michalovce, honoring young liberators. In the Netherlands, flags flew at half-mast as King Willem-Alexander observed a two-minute silence at Amsterdam’s main war memorial.
At EU headquarters, the European Parliament held a special session with three Second World War veterans. President Roberta Metsola stressed that the finest tribute is ensuring such wars never recur. European Council President Antonio Costa added, “Peace is both a heritage and a responsibility.”
As the 80th anniversary echoes around the globe, Europe’s reflections on past sacrifices invite a new generation—young global citizens, entrepreneurs, changemakers, and travelers—to uphold the lessons of unity, dialogue, and peace in an interconnected world.
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Europe marks 80th anniversary of WWII victory, calls for peace, unity
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