Moscow renames Europe Square in the latest move against Western ties

Moscow is taking further steps to exacerbate relations with European countries. A square formerly called European Square has just been changed, as is the case 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" writes about 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 symbolise 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 the de-Europeanisation 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.

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The State Duma also proposed renaming the Gulf of Finland to Neva Bay or Kronstadt Bay in response to unfriendly actions Finland has recently taken 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 war, Russia has faced very tense situations with almost all countries in Europe. Propaganda journalists are drawing up scenarios of further conquests, and Kremlin authorities are announcing retaliation in the event of substantial aid to Ukrainians.