President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addresses the German Bundestag. Once again, the head of state called for assistance to Ukrainians in the fight against the occupier.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz was present in the hall during the Ukrainian president's speech, Ukrinform reports. Having a word before Zelenskyy's speech, Katrin Göring-Eckardt, chairwoman of the meeting, said the world was shaken by pictures of Russia killing women and children and destroying Ukrainian towns and villages.
"I appeal to you after three weeks of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. After eight years of war in Donbas. I appeal when Russia bombs our cities, destroying everything in Ukraine. Houses, schools, hospitals, churches. In three weeks, many Ukrainians have died. Thousands. The occupiers killed 108 children," the president said.
He stressed that he was appealing after numerous statements and requests that preceded the large-scale war. After the belated steps, the sanctions which are not enough to stop the war.
"After seeing how many of your companies have cut ties with Russia, a country that is just using you and some other countries to finance the war. For the three weeks of fighting for our life and freedom, we have made sure what we felt before, and not all of you have probably noticed yet. But you seem to be behind the wall again. Yes, not in Berlin, but the middle of Europe. Between freedom and slavery. And the wall is stronger with every bomb that falls on Ukraine," said the President.
Zelenskyy asked why this was possible: when they were saying that Nord Stream 2 was a weapon and preparation for war, they heard in response that it was an economy. But it was cement for a new wall. When we asked what Ukraine needed to do to become a member of NATO, we heard in response that such a decision was not on the table and would not be on the table shortly.
"The same as you procrastinate now with the issue of Ukraine's accession to the European Union. For some, it is politics, but in fact, these are stones for a new wall. When we asked for preventive sanctions. Sanctions to make the aggressor feel that you are a force. We saw delays. We have understood that you want to continue the economy. And now the trade routes between you and the country that has brought a brutal war back to Europe are the critical wire above the wall. And you don't see what's behind that wall. And the wall is between us. And because of this, not everyone entirely feels what we feel," the President stressed.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia was levelling Mariupol. Hundreds of thousands of people are under round-the-clock shelling without communication, food, water, or electricity, for weeks. Russian troops consider everything a target. A theatre where people were hiding. A maternity hospital. Houses. They destroy everything and do not let our humanitarian aid into the city.
The President called to see it, to rise above the wall. The wall we are fighting against to save our people.
I am addressing you on behalf of the elderly Ukrainians. Who survived World War II, who survived Babyn Yar. I appeal to you from all those who have heard politicians say "never again" and have seen that these words are meaningless," said the president.
He added that the Russians are now trying to destroy the whole nation.
Zelenskyy thanked the German people and business, who put morale above accounting and economics; politicians trying to break this wall, who choose life between Russian money and the deaths of Ukrainian children, support the strengthening of sanctions.
Who knows that an embargo on imports is needed. I am grateful to everyone looking above the wall. It is difficult for us to stand without the help of the world, your help. It is challenging to defend Ukraine and Europe without what you can do. Not to look back even after this war - after Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv bombed by the Russians. For the second time in 80 years. Because then what is the historical responsibility that has not yet been atoned regarding the Ukrainian people? I address and remind that what is needed, what Europe will not survive without - a former actor, US President Reagan, once said in Berlin: "Break down this wall." I want to tell you now, Chancellor Scholz: knock down this wall. Give Germany the leadership you deserve and what your descendants will be proud of. Stop the war. Help us to stop it," the head of state called.