"I consider the ride by Russian bikers – to a degree — a propaganda answer to the recent journey by the US convoy, an attempt to balance the message through propaganda or in the media," Sobotka told journalists earlier Monday, following his meeting with Polish Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz.
"I do not think it is by chance that immediately after the US convoy passed through the countries, Russian bikers are to follow them," Sobotka added.
Czech journalist Ladislav Kashuka preempted his country's prime minister's commentary last week, noting in the Czech Free Press that "unlike the Americans, who feel free to travel to Europe in armored personnel transporters…members of the Russian bikers club Night Wolves are just civilians who are planning to travel from Moscow to Berlin on their own bikes and without arms."
The journalist added that "unlike some people who have arrived in Europe to set up bases, the motorcyclists just want to peacefully travel to Berlin, lay flowers at the monument of fallen soldiers and return home."
About 40 members of the Russian biker club Night Wolves are planning a ride through Russia, Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Germany on their way from Moscow to Berlin to mark the 70th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The journey, set to begin Saturday, will wind through European cities before reaching Berlin on May 9th; the bikers are planning to lay flowers at the monument to Soviet soldiers in Berlin's Treptower Park.