Klitschko at the Bavarian Parliament in Munich: a line between democracy and authoritarianism goes through Ukraine today. The aggressor must be stopped!
17.02.2022
In his keynote address to the members of the Bavarian parliament and the Bavarian government on the topic ‘Ukraine Is in Danger. It Is Time to Stand Side by Side’ Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that a line between democracy and authoritarianism goes through Ukraine today. Ukraine’s path to becoming a successful democratic country and a member of the EU and NATO poses a deadly threat to the Russian authoritarian regime.
“I feel very honoured to have been offered the opportunity to tell the politicians and citizens of Bavaria about a dramatic challenge Ukraine and its people confront today. We face a very real threat of Russia’s massive military invasion of our land. Over 130,000 Russian troops, tens of thousands of tanks and missiles are on our borders ready to attack. Still, you will see no panic in Ukraine though in the eighth year of war we are fully aware of what the Russian aggressor can do,” said Klitschko.
In his speech the mayor of Kyiv reminded that in violation of international law and human moral laws Russia has occupied Crimea and a part of Donbas, and caused huge economic damages. But what is most horrible is that over 13,000 Ukrainian citizens – both civilians and combatants fell victim to the aggression and tens of thousands were wounded.
“And this happens in a country located in the heart of Europe! The country that paid a heavy price for its right to build a democracy. The Kremlin doesn’t give up hopes to restore either the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union. Its main desire is to ensure its dominance in Eastern and even Central Europe, to rethink the European order established since 1989 and undermine the ability of NATO and the EU to stand up to Russia’s expansion. To reach this aim, Putin needs to control Ukraine and it is not just about geopolitics. A democratic and prosperous Ukraine proceeding on its path to NATO and the EU poses a deadly threat to Russia because it proves that one can live totally different values,” emphasised Klitschko.
He noted that since the Revolution of Dignity in 2014 Ukraine has forever rejected the neo-Soviet model of development and settled on a path based on democratic values, high social standards and an open economy.
In contrast, Russia’s actions continuing since 2014 against Ukraine completely destroyed European security. And now Russia displaying a contempt for principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity attempts to not only partition the continent into spheres of influence but also replace the rules of civilised behaviour and international law with the law of the jungle and rule of force.
“This is why for the stability and peace in Europe we have to stop the aggressor, not to let him dictate its political will, blackmail Ukraine and the democratic world! I believe, the aggressor can be stopped but as we see, Putin respects only strength. This is why the diplomatic efforts should be reinforced by significantly tightened sanctions against Russia and boosted military cooperation with Ukraine. I am saying it here, in Germany, a country that I respect and that has been my second home. Sanctions can indeed hurt countries that impose them. But still, this is a powerful tool can make the aggressor step back. The sanctions have to be very painful for Russia. If this tool can stop the bloodshed in the heart of Europe it is much more important than temporary economic inconveniences and discomfort! Let the advocates of the Nord Stream-2 think about it! One cannot display a commitment to high moral principles and increase its reliance on Russian gas. I am fully aware that the issue of weapon export is quite sensitive for Germany. But I urge you to recognise today’s most dire situation in Europe that calls for desperate measures! Nobody doubts that Ukraine as a victim of aggression must have something to defend itself from the ruthless and heavily armed Russian army. We expect that Germany will do the right thing going along with our US, Canadian and European partners,” stressed the mayor of Kyiv.
He also noted that Ukraine’s army has made great progress since the start of the Russian aggression. And now through huge efforts and heroism, it repels one of the largest armed forces in the world. “To step upb our response, we need massive effective support from our Western partners. This is a mutually beneficial course of action. It is impossible to rethink a new pan-European security architecture and boost the cooperation between European democracies without curbing the aggressor. The strong are being respected and feared rather than being attacked. We, the democratic world have to be strong and powerful to show that our values and safety and international law are not just mere words and worth fighting for!” emphasised Vitali Klitschko.
Before his address, Klitschko spoke to the international press and pointed out that by attending the Munich Security Conference he wants to raise a call for help and support for Ukraine. “The situation gets worse. Russia keeps trying to start a large-scale invasion. Today’s shelling in the Donbas region, damaged school and kindergarten, wounded Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are clear evidence of those intentions,” he said. “The democratic nations have to stand side by side with Ukraine to defend the democratic principles and European security. We all have to put up a united front and make efficient steps to curb the aggressor. If the world gives Ukraine up, it will backfire on entire Europe!” declared Klitschko.
The mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko attends the Munich Security Conference 2022. The main programme of the Munich Security Conference will address global challenges such as the pandemic and climate crises, the protection of democracy, the regulation of technology as well as revitalizing the transatlantic alliance, the growing tensions in Eastern Europe, and the situation in some of the world’s most dire conflict zones. The conference agenda for this year’s conference will also focus on how the European Union can (and must) contribute to addressing all these challenges.
On Friday, February 18 Klitschko will attend the MSC opening ceremony and meet the U.S. Senate delegation and the European politicians. Then he will return to Kyiv.