Shortly after the war began, the Ukrainian president addressed the Bundestag via video and complained about the lack of help. Now he is giving a completely different speech there live.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj has thanked Germany for its support so far in the defensive fight against the Russian attackers and urgently asked for continued support.
“It is in our common interest that Putin personally loses this war,” he said in a speech in the Bundestag. Russian President Vladimir Putin stands “alone against all of us,” he added. “And that is precisely why we must all work together to force Russia to change. And that is possible, because there are no walls that will not fall.”
“Give diplomacy a chance”
However, Zelensky also stressed that he does not want to rely solely on the military to bring peace to his country. With a view to the peace conference in Switzerland next weekend, he said: “We want to give diplomacy a chance and have gathered around 100 states. Ukraine has never relied solely on the strength of weapons.”
Russia, however, is not invited to the conference, and China has cancelled. After a meeting with Selenskyj, Scholz was nevertheless optimistic that progress could be made at the meeting. “Perhaps a way can be shown how to start a process in which Russia will one day also be at the table.”
At Selenskyj’s first speech, Germany was still the bogeyman
Zelensky had already spoken to members of the Bundestag on March 17, 2022, three weeks after the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. At that time, however, he was connected to the plenary hall via video from Kyiv and practically begged the Chancellor for more military support: “Dear Chancellor Scholz, tear down this wall. Give Germany the leadership role that Germany deserves.”
No more demands for Taurus
Germany has now supplied battle tanks, air defense systems and long-range artillery, among other things, and is Ukraine’s second most important supporter after the USA in terms of military and financial aid. Zelenskyj expressly thanked them for this.
He particularly thanked Chancellor Scholz for the recently promised Patriot defense systems, which would save thousands of lives. During his third visit to Berlin since the start of the war, Zelenskyj did not make any calls for additional weapons systems such as Taurus cruise missiles, even when asked about them in a press conference with Scholz.
Minutes of standing ovation
In the Bundestag, the Ukrainian president was greeted with long-lasting applause by the members of parliament. He entered the plenary hall alongside Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Federal Council President Manuela Schwesig (SPD) and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and his cabinet also attended the meeting. In front of the lectern, on the seats of the parliamentary stenographers, there were three large flower arrangements in the Ukrainian colors of blue and yellow.
The war must be ended in such a way that there is no doubt who won, said Zelensky, who was repeatedly interrupted by applause. Russia must take full responsibility for unleashing the war. “Russia must pay for all the damage caused by this aggression.” At the end, the MPs gave him a standing ovation for minutes.
BSW and almost all AfD MPs boycott Selenskyj’s speech
However, the parliamentarians of the Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) alliance and the AfD, with the exception of four MPs, boycotted the speech. “We refuse to listen to a speaker in camouflage,” said the parliamentary group leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla. “The federal government should not give him a platform to beg for reconstruction.” The BSW said: “Unfortunately, President Selenskyj is currently contributing to a highly dangerous spiral of escalation and is accepting the risk of a nuclear conflict with devastating consequences for the whole of Europe.”
Other parties and Scholz also sharply criticized the AfD and BSW. This behavior was “disrespectful,” a government spokesman told the ARD capital studio. Scholz was “very upset, but not surprised” by this. SPD parliamentary group vice-chair Dirk Wiese told the “Rheinische Post”: “The Kremlin probably ordered them to stay away.” He had rarely experienced such disrespect. CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz spoke of a “low point in the culture of our parliament.”
60 countries at reconstruction conference
The actual reason for Zelensky’s visit is an international reconstruction conference with 2,000 participants from 60 countries, which he opened together with Scholz. Both advocated further strengthening air defense to protect against Russian attacks. Scholz called on the allies to support a corresponding German initiative “with everything possible.” “Because the best reconstruction is the one that doesn’t have to take place at all.”
Zelensky reiterated that at least seven more Patriot systems are needed to protect Ukrainian cities and metropolitan areas. “Air defense is the answer to everything,” he said, referring to Russian attacks with glide bombs, cruise missiles and drones.
Germany has already delivered two Patriot systems, and another has been promised, which is currently being used to train Ukrainian soldiers. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced at the conference that Italy was ready to send a new military package, including the Samp-T air defense system, to Ukraine.
500 billion US dollars needed over the next 10 years
The reconstruction conference is not about collecting money for reconstruction, but rather about networking the relevant actors from politics, business, civil society and international organizations. The aim is to launch initiatives to promote businesses or train skilled workers, for example.
Scholz promised Ukraine far-reaching and long-term state commitments for reconstruction. He will advocate for this at the G7 summit of the leading Western economic powers in Italy, which begins on Thursday. The Chancellor pointed out that the World Bank expects a need for reconstruction aid of 500 billion US dollars (464 billion euros) over the next ten years. He also called on private companies to participate in this by investing. “Given the dimensions we are talking about here, private capital must be added.”
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
