Freiberg's mayor Sven Krüger has defended his controversial appearance at a lavish ball in St. Petersburg, Russia. On the one hand, help is needed for war refugees, and on the other hand, dialogue is needed to reach peaceful solutions, the nonpartisan local politician said Thursday at a city council meeting. "I am promoting both ways." This war should not become a permanent state, he said. "Peace is what would help the people of Ukraine and Russia the most."
In a personal statement, Krüger invoked the Unesco charter. He had said in his greeting that for him culture and science are the bridge that will bring people together again. He had not meant to hurt anyone with his words, Krüger assured. "Insofar as this has happened, I would like to say sincerely that I am sorry."
Krüger had given a greeting at the ball in August and had been announced there as mayor. He stressed in the City Council several times that it had been a privately paid trip, with the goal of friends to meet and continue talks with Gorni University to a planned memorial. He had been invited at short notice by Hans-Joachim Frey.
