| I stand before you today filled with deep respect. |
|
| In German, there is a word that has fallen somewhat out of fashion: Heldenmut – heroic courage. Heldenmut is not the lack of fear. Rather, Heldenmut is deciding to face fear. |
|
| Those who have come back from the front lines – as have you – know the meaning of danger. They know the meaning of loss and hardship. And they know the meaning of fear. For humankind, fear is an intrinsic motivator. |
|
| Yet, despite this fear, you all return to the front lines. You choose to face danger. You all display Heldenmut. |
|
| You do not fight because you want to fight. But rather because you must. Because Moscow has forced you into a war. |
|
| And you are aware of your responsibility. You know what is at stake. Your freedom. The dignity of a free country. The right of self-determination. And, in very practical terms, your families’ future. |
|
| However, this war is about even more. |
|
| Because Moscow has made it clear time and again that this is about a confrontation with the West. |
|
| The Kremlin wants an illiberal world of autocracies, against the West. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is part of a larger attack on the rules-based international order. That is what this brutal war of conquest is about. |
|
| This is the reason why your Heldenmut supports and protects more than just your country. It also supports us as Germany, and as a united Europe. This makes your Heldenmut our obligation. |
|
| Our position is clear. Ukraine can count on its partners. We stand by its side. |
|
| This is why Germany is leading the way. We provide support in the form of air defence and weapons, as well as economic and humanitarian assistance. |
|
| We have yet again increased our winter relief, to a total of 400 million euro. The massive attacks on energy infrastructure in recent weeks show that Moscow wants to bomb Ukraine into a blackout. |
|
| Hospitals, schools and apartment buildings are without electricity, without heating, without water. We are talking about up to half a million people – in Kyiv alone. These attacks on the civilian population violate international law. It is a systematic campaign of terror. The people of Ukraine are supposed to bow to terror. This is Putin’s cynical game with the cold. |
|
| There can be no doubt that Europe must do even more to support Ukraine. |
|
| We are thus constantly calling on our partners to increase their contributions to Ukrainian defence and for civilian assistance. |
|
| It is important that we continue to stand as one with Ukraine and that we continue to increase the pressure on Russia. Our desired aim, the one we are working towards, is a lasting and just peace for Ukraine. |
|
| However, Ukraine can only conduct peace negotiations from a position of strength. We must put it in this position. You, dear soldiers, have been making your contribution for four years now. You are providing the miracle of resistance. |
|
| And for that I want to sincerely thank you. I also want to assure you that we will not abandon you. |
|
| Thank you very much indeed. And now I look forward to our discussio |
No comments:
Post a Comment