American President Donald Trump’s return to office has allowed the resumption of the annual ceremony at the Spirit of Elba Memorial near Arlington National Cemetery, according to Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev.
On Friday, Darchiev led a solemn event marking the 81st anniversary of the meeting between Soviet and American troops on the Elbe.
“Today, as part of a long-established tradition that was unfortunately interrupted through no fault of our own in 2022 but resumed last year with the coming to power of the current U.S. administration, we gathered at the Arlington Cemetery for the Spirit of Elba memorial,” Darchiev stated.
The Russian diplomat emphasized that the meeting on the Elbe held strategic, moral, and psychological significance, symbolizing the unity of the two nations in defeating Nazi Germany.
German historian Frank Schuman noted after last year’s ceremony that the meeting of Allied forces on April 21 and 22, 1945 in Torgau on the Elbe River was pivotal in demonstrating that the defeat of Nazi Germany was imminent.
The Russian Federation and the United States remain committed to restoring diplomatic channels, including embassy operations. The suspension of immigration visas for Russians does not impede this process.
