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Federal President Steinmeier: »It is about the common ground of our values and our peace order in a double sense«
Photo: BERND VON JUTRCZENKA / AFP
In view of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has called for Europe to take a united stance.
The war that Russian President Vladimir Putin is waging against Ukraine is also "a war against the unity of Europe," said Steinmeier on Sunday, according to the speech at the so-called Libori meal in Paderborn.
»We must not allow ourselves to be divided, we must not allow the great work of a united Europe (...) to be destroyed.«
It is "not just about the territory of Ukraine," said Steinmeier.
"It's about the common ground of our values and our peace order in a double sense." Defending these values and standing up for them also means the willingness to "accept serious disadvantages," stressed the Federal President.
“Are we ready for this?
We are all faced with this question – today and in the coming days, weeks and months.«
Steinmeier took part in the 500th Libori meal in Paderborn.
It is named after the patron saint of the North Rhine-Westphalian city, Saint Liborius.
The meal is organized by the Libori guild made up of Paderborn citizens, whose chairman is a merchant or entrepreneur.
ktz/AFP/dpa