Berlin The speech of the Ukrainian President in the Bundestag should start at nine o’clock sharp. But another attack by Russian soldiers not far from Kyiv delayed the video link. Finally, Volodymyr Zelensky’s face later appeared on two large screens in the parliamentary hall. The MPs received him with applause.
War has been raging in his country for three weeks. Exhaustion is written all over his face. His camouflage shirt shows solidarity with Ukrainian soldiers and civilians who are fighting for their lives and for freedom.
Selenski was recently involved in the EU Parliament, in the British House of Commons and on Wednesday in the US Congress. This Thursday he reports to the fully occupied Bundestag about the situation on site, about rocket, bomb and artillery attacks on civilians, residential buildings, hospitals, schools and churches. “Russian troops did not distinguish between military and civilian targets. Everything is a target for them,” Zelensky said. Thousands of Ukrainians have died since the war began, including 108 children. “And that in the middle of Europe, in 2022,” said the President.
The situation is particularly dramatic in the port city of Mariupol. The city is under fire 24 hours a day. It is hardly possible to save the people from the city or to set up an airlift.
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The President expresses his gratitude to “simple people”, as Zelensky says according to the translation, and to everyone who helps Ukrainians. But he criticizes politics. Selenski speaks of international and historical responsibility and of a new wall in the middle of Europe. It is a wall between freedom and bondage, “which gets bigger with every bomb that falls on our soil in Ukraine and with every decision not made.”
Selenski had already said something similar with regard to US policy. Among other things, he warned the Americans about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. “Remember 9/11,” he added, referring to the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. “We need you now.”
Zelensky also addressed the older generation who witnessed the end of World War II. He pointed to the politicians who repeat the words “never again” every year on the anniversary of the end of the war. “Now we see that those words mean nothing,” Zelensky said. “Again attempts are being made in Europe to destroy the entire people.”
“We need help, also for Europe!”
Selenski also accused the members of the Bundestag of having acted too late. EU sanctions were not sufficient to stop the war. Too often the focus was on the economy. “We need help, also for Europe,” said Selenski.
He reiterated his call for a no-fly zone, also to set up an airlift to evacuate civilians from embattled cities like Mariupol. But the NATO countries have so far refused to intervene militarily because they are afraid that this could spread the conflict to other countries.
“Why is a country across the ocean closer to us?” Zelensky asked, referring to US aid. Since the beginning of last year, the US government has supported Ukraine with around 1.2 billion US dollars in military aid and arms supplies – including 550 million dollars since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression.
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Warnings had already been issued by Ukraine before the war – especially before the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The only answer the country had repeatedly received was: “Economy, economy, economy.” Selenski criticized the fact that sanctions had been put on the back burner are and also directs his criticism at German companies that still maintain ties with Russia.
At the end, Selenski quotes former US President Ronald Reagan: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall”. “I turn to you, dear Chancellor Scholz, destroy this wall. Give Germany the leadership that Germany deserves. So that your descendants will be proud of you. Support peace, support Ukraine,” said the Ukrainian President in his emotional appeal to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD).
The video link ends with minutes of applause from the deputies, but the content of the Ukrainian President’s appeal remains unanswered. When Selenski’s speech is over, after birthday congratulations for MPs, the next item on the agenda goes seamlessly: compulsory vaccination.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his call for a no-fly zone, including to set up an airlift to evacuate civilians.
(Photo: IMAGO/Future Image)
The day before, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) had defended the decision not to hold a separate Ukraine debate after the Ukrainian President’s video address. “I think listening is a real strength in a moment like this,” said the Green politician. “Listen, let the word stand. Also, let go of the accusations that will be made: I think that’s true greatness in a moment like this – and to be aware of our strength, and that is also diplomacy.
Union faction leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) emphasized that they had asked for a “debate on the status of this terrible war”, the traffic light had rejected it. It would now have been time for an interim assessment, “we are actually in the right place today as the Federal Republic of Germany when it comes to this conflict”.
“Madam President, with all due respect, you are telling us this morning how the advisory board of the ‘little researchers’ should be filled,” Merz added, looking at some of the personnel confirmations just held in plenary: “If not now, when?” the CDU leader called for a debate again. The Union “disapproves” of the procedure.
More: Ambassador to Ukraine declares Schröder mediation to have failed – “The matter is finally settled”