Official Germany commemorated the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 at the official residence of the Federal President at Schloss Bellevue, together with official representatives of Ukraine, but also with refugees and artists from Ukraine. In his speech on Friday, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that Germany admires the courage, strength and will of Ukrainians to defend their freedom and declared: "We stand by your side in solidarity."

Peter Carstens

Political correspondent in Berlin

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Russian dictator Vladimir Putin wants to "destroy Ukraine as an independent nation." International law, human dignity and peace – "all this means nothing to Putin". Everything on which the common coexistence in Europe is built "does not count for him". As far as Germany's support for the Ukrainian resistance was concerned, Steinmeier promised in German and Ukrainian: "You can rely on Germany." Until the end of the war, but also afterwards, Ukraine will be dependent on strong economic and military support, and Germany will also stand by its side.

Nowhere else, Steinmeier said, is peace more desirable than in Ukraine itself. But a "sham peace" that leaves the country to the arbitrariness of the occupiers is unacceptable, the goal must be a "just peace," said the Federal President with a view to the supporters of an appeal for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of military support for Ukraine, published by the publicist Alice Schwarzer and the left-nationalist politician Sahra Wagenknecht (Left Party). Their demonstration call is not supported by her party, but by leading AfD politicians.

"It is Russia that is prolonging this war"

With regard to peace talks, Steinmeier said: "Whether the world power China wants to play a constructive role in this is still questionable." If so, Beijing should not only talk to Moscow, but also to Kiev, it is Russia "that brutally invaded its neighbor." "It is Russia that is prolonging this war. It is not Ukraine that is refusing peace, it is Russia," Steinmeier said, adding: "Only when Russian troops withdraw will it open the way for peace."

There can be "no victory in this criminal war" for Russia. Putin is destroying and murdering, abducting Ukrainian children and letting "even his own soldiers bleed to death senselessly every day."

President Volodymyr Zelenskyj sent a video message to Berlin on behalf of Ukraine. The president, who did not flee into exile after the attack but took up the fight against the invaders, recalled the failure of diplomacy before the attack, futile European hopes "that economic relations can stop Russian tank columns."

Zelensky reported that Russia is turning the rubble of the 90 percent destroyed city of Mariupol into gravel for road construction, saying it must not allow "Ukraine to turn into concrete gravel."

Zelenskyj sends a video appeal

The Ukrainian president addressed the Germans and their leaders with the words: "German people, Mr. Federal President! Mr. Chancellor, Olaf!, now is the time when, with our courage and our weapons, peace can be restored and a historic safeguard against any aggression can be created." The soldiers and defenders in Ukraine could ensure this, "together with you! Together with everyone in the world who cherishes life".