GERMANY VISIT
Selenskyj accepted Charlemagne Prize
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj received the Charlemagne Prize on Sunday in Aachen, Germany. The politician and the Ukrainian people received the award for their services to Europe. At the ceremony, Selenskyj renewed his call for his country to quickly join the EU and NATO. Earlier in the day, the president had met with German leaders in Berlin. In the evening, he traveled on to Paris.
Online since today, 5:58 p.m. (Update: 9:07 p.m.)
"The EU will not be complete without Ukraine," Selenskyj said Sunday night in Aachen. He also said there were no rational reasons to deny Ukraine membership in NATO. He was standing here for the Ukrainians who are fighting for their freedom and for the values of Europe.
"Each of them would deserve to stand here." Selenskyj stressed that Ukraine wants nothing more than peace - but this can only be won with victory in the current conflict. The war in Ukraine also decides the fate of Europe, he said, because Russia is concerned with undoing the history of European unification. Russia is "capable of any cruelty and meanness.
Scholz sees further coalescence in Europe
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the award of the Charlemagne Prize to Selenskyj and his people as a prelude to further growing together in Europe. In his laudatory speech, Scholz mentioned Ukraine as well as the states of the Western Balkans, Moldova "and, in perspective, Georgia."
"If Vladimir Putin believed he could force the Ukrainian nation off its path to Europe, he - with all his tanks, his drones and missile launchers - has done nothing but the opposite," Scholz said. "Your will for freedom and resilience in dark times give hope and Your will for freedom and resilience in dark times give hope and inspiration far beyond Ukraine. At the head of the entire Ukrainian people, you defend the values for which Europe stands."
Von der Leyen pays tribute to Ukrainian people
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen paid tribute to the Ukrainian people. "They are literally fighting for freedom, humanity and peace," she said. With their blood and their lives, they secured the future of their children and also of our children. She said Selenskyj had an unconditional belief that those who fight for something are always stronger than those who want to impose their yoke on others.
She also recalled her first trip to Ukraine after war broke out. "I saw the mass graves next to the church, the body bags lying close together," she said, referring to her visit to the Kyiv suburb of Butsha, which was occupied by Russian troops in the spring of 2022 and where the bodies of hundreds of civilians were later found. "I will never forget the image of the countless candles," she stressed. Each one, she said, stood for the life of a father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister senselessly extinguished.
The Austrian Greens congratulated Ukraine on winning the Charlemagne Prize. "The courage and determination with which Ukrainians defend freedom, democracy and self-determination against an authoritarian aggressor not only demand deep respect, but have also brought the rest of Europe closer together," said Green foreign policy spokeswoman Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic.
Selenskyj asks Berlin for "fighter jet coalition"
Earlier, Scholz assured Ukraine of Germany's continued support. "We will support you as long as it will be necessary," the SPD politician said during a meeting with Selenskyj at the Chancellery in Berlin. So far, he said, aid worth 17 billion euros has been provided.
The Ukrainian president asked Germany to support his country in a coalition with other partners by supplying modern fighter jets. Ukraine is working to "create a fighter jet coalition" during his visit to European capitals, Selenskyj said. He said he would also address the German side with a request to support Ukraine in this coalition.
Scholz was cautious in his comments. He said Germany has supplied Ukraine with a great deal. "Especially in terms of air defense, these are very modern weapons with the PATRIOT system, with IRIS-T, what we provide, which is also very effective."
Selenskyj in Paris
Sunday evening, Selenskyj traveled on to Paris. Head of Government Elisabeth Borne and France's Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna received him at Velizy-Villacoublay Airport. Selenskyj will also meet President Emmanuel Macron. Macron has already reiterated that his country will continue to provide military and humanitarian support to Ukraine.
Selenskyj also in Rome
Before his visit to Germany, Selenskyj canvassed Italy's President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome for support and for his country's admission to the EU. "The future of Ukraine is one of peace and freedom in Europe," said Meloni, who guaranteed Ukraine full support with arms deliveries and humanitarian aid.
On Saturday afternoon, Selenskyj also had an audience with Pope Francis. The meeting was eagerly awaited, as the pope repeatedly emphasizes that he wants to take every opportunity to promote peace in Ukraine. However, he does not usually mention Russia as the aggressor on such occasions.
In a television interview after the audience with the pope, Selenskyj made it clear that Ukraine does not need mediators. Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot be negotiated with, he said: "The war is in Ukraine, and the peace plan must be Ukrainian."
red, ORF.at/agencies
Source (Austria)
Online since today, 5:58 p.m. (Update: 9:07 p.m.)
"The EU will not be complete without Ukraine," Selenskyj said Sunday night in Aachen. He also said there were no rational reasons to deny Ukraine membership in NATO. He was standing here for the Ukrainians who are fighting for their freedom and for the values of Europe.
"Each of them would deserve to stand here." Selenskyj stressed that Ukraine wants nothing more than peace - but this can only be won with victory in the current conflict. The war in Ukraine also decides the fate of Europe, he said, because Russia is concerned with undoing the history of European unification. Russia is "capable of any cruelty and meanness.
Scholz sees further coalescence in Europe
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the award of the Charlemagne Prize to Selenskyj and his people as a prelude to further growing together in Europe. In his laudatory speech, Scholz mentioned Ukraine as well as the states of the Western Balkans, Moldova "and, in perspective, Georgia."
"If Vladimir Putin believed he could force the Ukrainian nation off its path to Europe, he - with all his tanks, his drones and missile launchers - has done nothing but the opposite," Scholz said. "Your will for freedom and resilience in dark times give hope and Your will for freedom and resilience in dark times give hope and inspiration far beyond Ukraine. At the head of the entire Ukrainian people, you defend the values for which Europe stands."
Von der Leyen pays tribute to Ukrainian people
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen paid tribute to the Ukrainian people. "They are literally fighting for freedom, humanity and peace," she said. With their blood and their lives, they secured the future of their children and also of our children. She said Selenskyj had an unconditional belief that those who fight for something are always stronger than those who want to impose their yoke on others.
She also recalled her first trip to Ukraine after war broke out. "I saw the mass graves next to the church, the body bags lying close together," she said, referring to her visit to the Kyiv suburb of Butsha, which was occupied by Russian troops in the spring of 2022 and where the bodies of hundreds of civilians were later found. "I will never forget the image of the countless candles," she stressed. Each one, she said, stood for the life of a father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister senselessly extinguished.
The Austrian Greens congratulated Ukraine on winning the Charlemagne Prize. "The courage and determination with which Ukrainians defend freedom, democracy and self-determination against an authoritarian aggressor not only demand deep respect, but have also brought the rest of Europe closer together," said Green foreign policy spokeswoman Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic.
Selenskyj asks Berlin for "fighter jet coalition"
Earlier, Scholz assured Ukraine of Germany's continued support. "We will support you as long as it will be necessary," the SPD politician said during a meeting with Selenskyj at the Chancellery in Berlin. So far, he said, aid worth 17 billion euros has been provided.
The Ukrainian president asked Germany to support his country in a coalition with other partners by supplying modern fighter jets. Ukraine is working to "create a fighter jet coalition" during his visit to European capitals, Selenskyj said. He said he would also address the German side with a request to support Ukraine in this coalition.
Scholz was cautious in his comments. He said Germany has supplied Ukraine with a great deal. "Especially in terms of air defense, these are very modern weapons with the PATRIOT system, with IRIS-T, what we provide, which is also very effective."
Selenskyj in Paris
Sunday evening, Selenskyj traveled on to Paris. Head of Government Elisabeth Borne and France's Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna received him at Velizy-Villacoublay Airport. Selenskyj will also meet President Emmanuel Macron. Macron has already reiterated that his country will continue to provide military and humanitarian support to Ukraine.
Selenskyj also in Rome
Before his visit to Germany, Selenskyj canvassed Italy's President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome for support and for his country's admission to the EU. "The future of Ukraine is one of peace and freedom in Europe," said Meloni, who guaranteed Ukraine full support with arms deliveries and humanitarian aid.
On Saturday afternoon, Selenskyj also had an audience with Pope Francis. The meeting was eagerly awaited, as the pope repeatedly emphasizes that he wants to take every opportunity to promote peace in Ukraine. However, he does not usually mention Russia as the aggressor on such occasions.
In a television interview after the audience with the pope, Selenskyj made it clear that Ukraine does not need mediators. Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot be negotiated with, he said: "The war is in Ukraine, and the peace plan must be Ukrainian."
red, ORF.at/agencies
Source (Austria)
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