Moscow strips Europe Square of its name in a symbolic move
Moscow is taking further steps aimed at straining relations with European countries. The name of a square, formerly Europe Square, has just been changed. This is also happening in other cities.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin signed a decree changing the name of Europe Square, located in the Dorogomilovo district, to Eurasia Square.
The independent Russian portal "Meduza" reports on the mayor's decision. The governor's decision shows "Moscow's intention to give the square a new name, reflecting a broader geographical concept of Eurasia."
Europe Square was opened in 2002 as part of a joint Russian-Belgian project to symbolize the "unity of European countries." It featured columns with the flags of European countries and a sculpture, "The Rape of Europe," by Belgian artist Olivier Strebelle. In March 2023, Moscow authorities removed the European flags from the square without explanation.
The portal "Important Stories" calls Europe Square's renaming the "first example of de-Europeanization of toponyms" in Moscow.
Other Russian cities also had squares associated with Europe. In recent years, there have been naming changes: in Saratov - Council of Europe Square was renamed Heroes of Donbas Square, and in Perm - Europe Square was renamed Three Centuries Square.
The State Duma also proposed renaming the Gulf of Finland to Neva Bay or Kronstadt Bay in response to Finland's recent unfriendly actions toward Russia. According to the Kremlin, this is a response to Finland's "anti-Russian provocations" and a lack of gratitude for "almost everything."
Since the outbreak of the war, Russia has had very tense situations with almost all countries in Europe. Propaganda journalists are drawing scenarios of further conquests, and Kremlin authorities are announcing retaliation in the event of substantial aid to Ukrainians.
