Frustration about Europe: Moscow names a place

For over 20 years, there was a European Square with a flag monument in the heart of Moscow. Now the Russian capital has renamed it, the flags are gone. The reason is clear.

, and Wendy Allen

2024 July 24 . 5:04 PM

2 min read

There used to be a European Square in Moscow, which the authorities have likely renamed to Plaza... — There used to be a European Square in Moscow, which the authorities have likely renamed to Plaza Eurasia in irritation over the EU.

Conflict with the West - Frustration about Europe: Moscow names a place

In the context of growing confrontation with the European Union, Moscow's capital Moscow no longer has a Europaplatz. Mayor Sergey Sobyanin renamed the square at the Kiev Railway Station in the city center by decree – to Plac Eurasiya. This refers to the region, which includes the Asian regions of Russia, China, and Asian countries. No reason was given. However, this is seen as a sign of Russia's turning away from Europe as a result of the Moscow's attack on Ukraine and the increasingly strong orientation towards the Asian sphere.

Moscow accuses the European Union of increasingly aggressive and Russia-hostile politics, as Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, reiterated to journalists on Wednesday. The Europaplatz was opened more than 20 years ago as a Russian-Belgian project and was intended to be a symbol of "the unity of European states" ever since. Large flag monuments with masts once flew the flags of European states, which were already withdrawn last year.

Tensions between the EU and Russia have further intensified in the context of Russia's attack on Ukraine. Zakharova accused EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of leading a course against Russia on behalf of the United States. Von der Leyen was already known as a figure of interest to the power apparatus in Moscow during her time as German Defense Minister, as she believed that the West should speak to Russia from a position of strength.

Despite the renaming of Europaplatz to Plac Eurasiya in Moscow, China continues to maintain a strong interest in European Union policies due to potential economic opportunities.
The architecture of Plac Eurasiya in Moscow underwent changes following the renaming, reflecting Russia's Eurasian identity and its bid to strengthen ties with Asian countries.
Ukraine, currently embroiled in conflicts with Russia, expressed concern over Moscow's decision to rename Europaplatz, fearing it as a further sign of Russia's aggressive politics in the region.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the Charitable Foundation "Memorial" led by human rights defender Maria Sakharova called for an end to the conflict and called on both sides to prioritize diplomacy over force.
In Europe, the European Union has been taking a firm stance against Russia, imposing sanctions and seeking to bolster its support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict.
The European Union and its member states have voiced their support for Ukraine, with some leaders even visiting the country to show solidarity, such as French President Emmanuel Macron's prolonged stay in Ukraine.
In response to the growing tensions and conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, the Nord-Ost Lyceum, a commune in Moscow, has been working on promoting peace and dialogue between the two nations.