Certain pronouncements have become etched into the political consciousness of our continent.

Pronouncements full of courage, full of determination.

Uttered at historic crossroads.

In moments of the greatest uncertainty.

“I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”

Winston Churchill in the House of Commons, 13 May 1940.

“Ich bin ein Berliner.”

John F. Kennedy in front of the Schöneberg Town Hall, 26 June 1963.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I think that all of us sitting here can add at least one further pronouncement to this collection:

“I need ammunition, not a ride.”

Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, 26 February 2022.

Let’s call to mind the scene one more time: after weeks and months of ever-clearer preparations for war on the part of Russia, the Ukrainian capital is under fire.

Russian troops have advanced with individual assault groups as far as the city limits.

Some of them have a very clear mission:

to kill the President of the free Ukraine in the government quarter and replace him with a Kremlin puppet.

Military analysts in many parts of the world still don’t believe that Ukraine will be able to withstand the Russian offensive for long.

Disinformation is making the rounds.

Millions of Ukrainian women and men have fled their homes.

A historic crossroads. A moment of the greatest uncertainty.

A moment of existential crisis for Ukraine.

And in this situation, the US phones President Zelensky and offers to help him evacuate from the capital.

To help him save his life.

And what does he do? He turns the offer down, clearly and emphatically.

He stands in the dimly lit streets of Kyiv and says only two words to his people:

“Президент тут.” – the President is here.

With this courage, President Zelensky sends an unambiguous signal to his compatriots – and to the world – in those early, decisive days of the war.

We’re not running away; we’re not hiding.

We only need to call to mind those first days of the war to make everyone here aware of what’s at stake on the European continent, almost four years later.

This is about achieving a peace that is just and, above all, lasting.

We in Europe are grateful for the commitment and vigour with which our US partners are striving for peace in Europe, to put an end to the dying.

At the same time, it must be clear that decisions affecting the security of Europe and Ukraine can only be made with the involvement of Europe and Ukraine.

The same applies to decisions about the future of NATO and the EU.

The talks we have held in Geneva in recent days, and those that the Federal Chancellor has held in South Africa and Angola, have taken us crucial steps forward in this regard.

And without being able to discuss details today, we must first acknowledge quite soberly that Ukraine wants peace. Europe wants peace.

But whether this war ends soon, whether we can first achieve an immediate and unconditional ceasefire as an initial step, is something we cannot tell today.

After all, this depends primarily on Russia, a country that has subjected Ukraine to violence for the past 11 years.

A state that, in its current form, is not a peaceful actor.

An actor that the Ukrainian people are standing up to.

We’re paying tribute today to Ukraine, to Ukrainian women and men, for their courage.

For their courage in the service of freedom.

For their determination to fight for this freedom.

For their resilience in the face of aggression, violence and sheer contempt for humanity.

We’re paying tribute to a country that has chosen Europe, that has chosen democracy.

This is expressed by “Українці тут” – “The Ukrainians are here.”

For the past 1371 days. For nearly four years.

And I’m not just talking about the President, of course.

I’m talking about the servicewomen and men, who are holding the line under difficult circumstances in the east and south of the country.

About the firefighters, paramedics and civil defence who witness horrific scenes each and every day – and yet continue to attend the scene following attacks.

I’m talking about the children for whom it has become commonplace in some cities to go to school in underground train tunnels or to kindergarten in bunkers.

I’m talking about quite ordinary people who carry on – primary school teachers, road workers, journalists.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Russia’s aggression is targeted directly against Ukraine.

But it is also directed against all of us here in Europe.

Putin’s imperial ambitions extend beyond Ukraine.

And that means that the Ukrainians’ fight is one for all of Europe.

It is a fight in which we are standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine.

We are the advocates of Ukraine in the world.

Germany will be Ukraine’s biggest supporter this year.

With additional assistance for air defence.

With an increase in our funding for bilateral military support for Ukraine.

With support for protecting and repairing energy facilities.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We often say that Ukraine is waging this war to preserve its freedom.

To preserve the validity of modern international law.

To preserve peace in Europe.

Now, as you all know, I’m a conservative politician.

But I firmly believe that it would be a mistake to think that the focus in Ukraine is only on preservation.

After all, this war has already changed Europe today.

Europe after Russia’s war of aggression will be a different place.

A larger, a stronger Europe.

A Europe that knows the price of freedom and the value of courage.

One that is ready to defend itself against the Russian aggressor.

A Europe that – to paraphrase the words of President Zelensky – says:

“Європа тут.”

Europe is here.

And so it’s an honour for me to present you, Ambassador, with the “Deutscher Mittelstandspreis” in the category of politics on behalf of your entire country.