Federal President Steinmeier warns against forgetting Ukraine

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has warned that the war in Ukraine is losing the focus of public attention. "Ukraine needs our support all the more now that war is also raging in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine is no longer receiving the attention it so urgently needs. Putin's calculation is that the world should forget about Ukraine," said Steinmeier at the German-Ukrainian municipal partnership conference in Leipzig on Wednesday. Germany must not and will not do the Russian president this favor. "We will not get used to Russia's unlawful and inhumane war of aggression," said Steinmeier.

In February 2022, Russia attacked Ukraine. War has been raging there ever since. According to Steinmeier, this war does not differentiate between metropolitan areas, cities and villages. "It affects everyone in Ukraine." That is why it is important that there is support not only between governments, but also between cities and municipalities. "There is no more long-term, no more sustainable support than these ties between the people in our two countries."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was also present at the conference on Wednesday. He emphasized that not only Ukraine was under threat from the Russian regime, but that his country's neighbouring countries were also in danger. The cities in Germany and Ukraine have a European attitude towards people. Their relationship protects human lives. "It is of great importance that we not only use the instruments that the state has," said Selenskyj.

Leipzig, which is hosting the conference, has been twinned with the Ukrainian capital Kiev for 62 years. According to the Office of the Federal President, it is the oldest German-Ukrainian city partnership. Kiev's mayor, former professional boxer Vitali Klitschko, was therefore also a guest at the conference. German support is vital for Ukraine, said the 52-year-old. "Together we are much stronger." Ukraine is also fighting for democratic values and its democratic future, said Klitschko.

In a welcoming address, Federal Development Minister Svenja Schulze emphasized that the commitment of the municipalities is still overwhelming today. "Municipalities will play a decisive role in the reconstruction of Ukraine," said the SPD politician. Germany will continue to help as long as it is necessary.