Huge satirical models of Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy at German carnival parades

A float depicting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is driven through the streets during the Rose Monday parade in Cologne (Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa via AP)

Throngs of revellers took to the streets of Germany’s carnival strongholds on Monday, accompanied by floats that satirised the Ukrainian and Russian presidents, German politicians, former US President Donald Trump and many others.

Shrove Monday parades are a traditional high point of carnival celebrations in Cologne, Duesseldorf, Mainz and other places in western Germany, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors.