Zelensky was awarded Charlemagne Prize in Aachen. VIDEO
President Volodymyr Zelensky received the Charlemagne Prize in Aachen, Germany, awarded to him and the Ukrainian people for his contribution to the unification of Europe.
According to Censor.NET, this was reported by Deutsche Welle.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attended the ceremony along with Zelensky.
"Europe has a lot to thank Ukrainians for, especially President Zelensky. When the founders of the prize decided to launch it, many parts of Europe were in ruins, and the terrible experience of the Second World War, human rights violations, famine, and sadness were present. A Europe living in peace and freedom was the vision for the future. At the same time, the founders of the prize saw their dream being realised more and more every year," Scholz said.
He noted that today Europe is once again at war on its territory.
"Russia's terrible aggressive war. A war that is filled with pain of Ukrainians that we could not imagine. The war is again against everything that Europe stands for today. The war also clearly shows Ukraine, Europe, and its member states: we stand together, we belong to each other, and our history will also be together," the Chancellor stressed.
Olaf Scholz noted that this is the first time that the Charlemagne Prize has been awarded to a president and the entire nation.
"I think this is a reasonable decision. Because the Ukrainian people and the president have achieved a lot since 24 February 22. They have achieved the impossible. And with great courage, your country is defending itself against total Russian aggression of unprecedented strength, repelling Russian attackers day after day. The Russian war has brought the European nations closer together," the politician stressed.
Scholz added that Ukraine has Germany's full support on its path to the EU.
"Ukraine is here. Ukraine is Europe. Glory to Ukraine!" the Chancellor said in Ukrainian.
In her turn, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that Ukrainians are fighting not only for their freedom and future, but also for the future of Europe.
"They are literally fighting for freedom, for humanity, for peace. With their blood and lives, they are ensuring the future of their children and our children. President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine know exactly what they are fighting for," she stressed.
Von der Leyen noted that Putin is destroying the peaceful work that Europe built together after the end of World War II and later after the fall of the Iron Curtain.
"For every generation, there comes a time when they have to defend democracy and what they believe in. For us, this moment has come now," the official said.
