The Ukrainian President Selenskyj was honored with the Charlemagne Prize in Aachen. In his laudatory speech, Chancellor Scholz recognized the Ukrainian people’s desire for freedom. Selenskyj thanked Scholz for the arms deliveries.
Award for services to Europe: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj was awarded the Charlemagne Prize in Aachen this afternoon. He received the honor together with his people, who not only defended the sovereignty of his country and the lives of its citizens, “but also Europe and European values,” according to the reasoning.
Standing ovation in the coronation hall
Selenskyj’s participation in the ceremony in Aachen had been uncertain for months. But then in the afternoon he entered the medieval hall where the guests were already waiting – together with Chancellor Olaf Scholz he had previously flown from Berlin to North Rhine-Westphalia. Upon entering the hall, Zelenskyi received a standing ovation. The ceremony in the coronation hall of the Aachen town hall is accompanied by extremely strict security requirements.
“Europe owes a lot to the Ukrainian people and personally to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” said Scholz
Scholz thanks Selenskyj
In his laudatory speech, Chancellor Scholz thanked the Ukrainian President and his people for defending common European values. The SPD politician recalled how on the morning of the Russian attack Selenskyj had strengthened the resistance with powerful words. “The President is here. We are all here,” Scholz quoted in Ukrainian from Zelenskyj’s first video message on February 24, 2022, underlining: “Rarely in history have such brief words had such a great effect.”
It was immediately clear that the Ukrainian people would not yield to Russia’s violence, but would resist. “The desire for freedom and the power of resistance in dark times give hope and inspiration far beyond Ukraine,” said Scholz. At the head of Ukraine, Zelenskyy defends “the values that Europe stands for”. Europe owes a lot to the Ukrainian people and personally to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The war shows for Ukraine and for the European Union: “We stand together! We belong together! And: Our history will continue together.”
Ukrainian President Selenskyj receives the Charlemagne Prize from Aachen’s Lord Mayor Sibylle Keupen.
“Ukraine is part of our European family”
Scholz described the awarding of the Charlemagne Prize to Selenskyj and his people as a prelude to further growing together in Europe. “If Vladimir Putin thought he could use force to divert the Ukrainian nation from its path to Europe, then he – with all his tanks, drones and rocket launchers – did nothing but the opposite.”
At the same time, the war brought the European Union and Ukraine closer together than ever before. Ukraine can continue to “rely on our full support”. This also applies to Kiev’s efforts to become a member of the EU. “Ukraine is part of our European family,” emphasized the Chancellor.
Praise for Scholz and the “turning point”
Selenskyj thanked him for the prize. In the war against Russia, you face an aggressor who wants to turn back history and is capable of “any kind of cruelty or meanness.” With regard to Scholz, he praised the decision to “turn the tide” and the military support for Ukraine. He first gave his acceptance speech in English and then switched to Ukrainian.
Zelenskyi reiterated his call for his country to join the EU and NATO. “The EU will not be complete without Ukraine.” There are also no rational reasons for denying Ukraine membership in NATO.
Last year, the Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tichanovskaya and two fellow campaigners received the Charlemagne Prize. Ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and Pope Francis are also laureates.
First visit to Germany since the beginning of the war
Selenskyj arrived in Berlin that morning for his first visit to Germany after the start of the Russian war of aggression and was received by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Scholz said at a press conference that he was happy to welcome Selenskyj in Berlin. He spoke of a “strong signal”, condemned the Russian invasion and praised the resistance of the Ukrainians, who “resolutely and heroically opposed this brutal aggression”.
“We will support you as long as it will be necessary,” assured the Chancellor. “And we are not letting up in our support,” Scholz continued. The Chancellor also addressed the new EUR 2.7 billion arms package for Ukraine. The planned deliveries include anti-aircraft systems, tanks and ammunition, among others.
Zelenskyy praised the additional military aid as “very important and strong help” for his country. “The volume of German aid is second only to the US,” he said. At the same time, he thanked Germany for the support: “Above all, I would like to thank you, Olaf, and the entire German people for your help.”
Zelenskyj wants fighter jet coalition
At the same time, Zelenskyy asked Germany to support his country along with other partners by supplying modern fighter jets. During his visit to European capitals, Ukraine is working on “creating a fighter jet coalition,” Zelenskyy said. He will also turn to the German side with a request to support Ukraine in this coalition. Scholz was reluctant to comment on this. Germany has delivered a lot to Ukraine. Especially as far as air defense is concerned, these are very modern weapons.
Thanks for “fantastic solidarity”
In the morning, Federal President Steinmeier received Selenskyj in his official residence at Bellevue Palace. There, too, Selenskyj thanked Germany for its support in the defensive struggle against Russia’s war of aggression. “During the most difficult period in Ukraine’s modern history, Germany has proved to be our true friend and reliable ally, standing resolutely with the Ukrainian people in the struggle to defend freedom and democratic values,” he wrote in English in the guest book .
He also thanked Steinmeier for his “personal support of Ukraine” and the German people for their “fantastic solidarity”. In German, Zelenskyj added: “Thank you Germany!”.
At the start of his visit to Germany, the Ukrainian President Zelenskyj was received by Federal President Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace.
Zelenskyj had arrived early in the morning from Rome for his first visit to Germany since the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Because of the visit, the security measures in Berlin had been strengthened. Selenskyj is expected in Paris in the evening.