In New York, Chancellor Scholz and Ukrainian President Zelensky were honored with the Global Citizen Award. It is awarded by the NGO Atlantic Council for its commitment to international cooperation.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj have been honored with the Global Citizen Award for their contributions to international cooperation. The two received the “Global Citizen Award” from the Atlantic Council, a non-governmental organization that promotes transatlantic relations, at a gala dinner in New York on Wednesday evening.
Chancellor condemns Russian attack
Scholz said he was honored to receive the award along with Zelensky. “Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine is being fought in Europe – but it is also an attack on the fundamental principles of our international order,” he said. The Chancellor once again promised Zelensky support for the war against the Russian aggressors for as long as it was necessary.
In his speech, the Chancellor also emphasized that the transatlantic relationship had been strengthened in the wake of the Ukraine crisis. “I’m proud to say today: Our relationship with the United States is stronger than ever.”
Zelensky dedicates prize to soldiers
Zelensky dedicated the award to the soldiers fighting against the Russian invaders and to the children and women killed by “Russian terrorists.” But he also dedicated it to all the “courageous states that are at our side and have supported us” – as well as all the people who fought for freedom around the world, like Ukraine.
Regarding the pompous setting of the award ceremony on Wall Street in the heart of Manhattan’s financial district, Zelensky only said: “This is not my world.” He excused his short speech by saying that he had an important conversation to have with US President Joe Biden in Washington on Thursday. “I have to save energy.”
Unclear whether “Taurus” was the theme
Before the award ceremony, Scholz met the Ukrainian president for a 30-minute conversation in New York. Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said afterwards that Zelensky had thanked German military aid, especially for artillery and air defense. It initially remained unclear whether the conversation was also about the long-range Taurus cruise missile desired by Ukraine.
Scholz has so far remained cautious about supplying weapons of this new quality. He wants to avoid the missiles, which have a range of 500 kilometers, from hitting Russian territory. Ukraine has already assured this several times. We are currently examining how this can be technically ruled out.
Other award winners
Each year during the UN General Debate, the Global Citizen Awards honor individuals “who have contributed to driving positive change in their societies and who embody a commitment to international cooperation.” The award was presented at a commercial gala dinner, for which the cheapest tickets cost $2,500.
Other award winners this year included Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and First Eastern Investment Group boss Victor Chu. The award ceremony marked the end of the Chancellor’s three-day stay in New York.