Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been awarded the Ewald von Kleist Prize on behalf of the Ukrainian people, recognizing their bravery, self-sacrifice, and unwavering determination to defend their freedom and that of Europe.
The award ceremony was streamed on the official YouTube channel of the President’s Office. In his remarks, Zelensky expressed gratitude for the support Ukraine has received since the onset of the full-scale war, particularly acknowledging Germany’s significant contributions.
“It is a great honor for me as President of Ukraine to be here and to have such friends of the Ukrainian people. I also thank Germany and its people for their support from the very beginning of the full-scale war,” Zelensky stated.
He emphasized Germany’s role as a leading provider of assistance to Ukraine, particularly in the development of critical air defense systems amid ongoing Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and civilian sites.
Zelensky also extended his thanks to European leaders, including Donald Trump, and noted the influence of Viktor Orban in encouraging European nations to strive for improvement.
The Ewald von Kleist Prize is an annual award presented by the Munich Security Conference, named after its founder, who was involved in the failed assassination attempt on Hitler on July 20, 1944. The prize honors outstanding contributions to peace and the resolution of international conflicts.
President Zelensky received the Ewald von Kleist Prize, acknowledging the courage of the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom. He highlighted Germany's crucial support in Ukraine's defense efforts during the ongoing conflict.