German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and his department have provoked a wave of indignation on social media by congratulating Ukraine on its independence day on Twitter using a well-known slogan used by WWII Nazi collaborators.
“Today, 26 years ago, Ukraine declared its independence. I congratulate all Ukrainians. Slava Ukraini! [Glory to Ukraine]” a message published on the German Foreign Ministry’s official Twitter account reads.
‘Slava Ukraini!’ is an infamous slogan used by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) – a nationalist paramilitary group that actively collaborated with the Nazis in World War II, and was under the political leadership of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists led by Stepan Bandera.
Ukrainian nationalists adopted gestures from the Nazis such as the Nazi salute, which was used while shouting “Glory to Ukraine!” and “Glory to the Heroes!”
The tweet quickly provoked angry responses from many Germans on social media.
“Mr. Gabriel, you could not possibly tweet anything more stupid. Slava Ukraini is a Nazi greeting in Ukraine,” one person wrote.
Herr Gabriel, noch dümmeres konnten Sie wohl nicht tweetern. Slawa ukraini ist ein Gruß der Nazis in der Ukraine.
— Alex Bernhardt (@AlexB7734) August 24, 2017
“Slava Ukraini is something similar to a person saying ‘Sieg Heil!’ in Germany… You have not fully gotten rid of the Nazi filth, have you?” another person said.
slawa ukraini ist in etwa so als wenn in Deutschland jemand ‘Sieg Heil’ sagt… also ganz bekommt ihr den Nazidreck nicht weg oder?
— Anti Propaganda (@anti_prop) August 24, 2017
Some pointed out that “fortunately, the Foreign Ministry is not responsible for combating the [far]-right.” “It’s a shame, of course, that it [ministry] is in charge of German foreign policy,” a reply to the ministry’s tweet reads.
Slawa Ukraini? Zum Glück ist das AA nicht für Kampf gegen Rechts zuständig. Schade natürlich, dass es die deutsche Außenpolitik verantwortet
— Karsten Packeiser (@KaPackeiser) August 24, 2017
There were, however, some people who sincerely thanked Gabriel for his wishes and his choice of words, praising them as a sign of respect for Ukraine.
Others expressed concern about Germany “returning” to its Nazi past. “Slava Ukraini? You tweet a Nazi slogan? Should one be concerned about it? Germany back to its roots? I hope not!” one person wrote.
Slawa Ukraini !? Ihr twittert einen Nazi Ausruf ? Sollte man sich Sorgen machen? :/ Germany back to the Root’s? I Hope Not !
— Sebastian K. Frank (@Bastatito) August 24, 2017
“Slava Ukraini? A Ukrainian neo-Nazi salute from the Foreign Ministry? What next?” another person asked.
“Slawa Ukraini”?? Ukrainischer Neonazi-Gruß vom Auswärtigen Amt?! Was kommt wohl als Nächstes?
— Helix (@HelmutX) August 25, 2017
Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day on August 24.
Gabriel is, however, known for his deep distaste for Nazism and far-right ideas. In an interview published before the 2013 parliamentary election, he revealed that he broke off all contact with his own father after discovering his Nazi beliefs when he was 18.
“When I see something unfair, when injustice is being done to people, I can get properly worked up,” he said at that time, as cited by the Guardian.
In 2016, a video emerged showing Gabriel giving the middle finger to neo-Nazis who tried to interrupt a regional election campaign meeting he was taking part in.
