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Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier: "Brutal Russian attack on Ukraine"
Photo: Pool/Getty Images
Frank-Walter Steinmeier knows Christmas speeches in times of crisis.
After the speeches of the past two years, which revolved around the corona crisis, the Federal President focused on the war in Ukraine in this year's speech.
He called for solidarity with Kyiv to be maintained: "Until peace can come, it is a humanitarian imperative that we support those who are attacked, threatened and oppressed," said the Federal President in his pre-recorded speech.
Steinmeier thanked the citizens of Germany for their solidarity and willingness to help in the current crisis.
"The brutal Russian attack on Ukraine, the return of the war to Europe, the terrible suffering of the Ukrainians, and the fear of an escalation of the fighting - all this disturbs and frightens many people in our country," said Steinmeier.
Therefore, this year it is "probably our dearest wish that peace reigns again," emphasized the Federal President.
Meeting with Ukrainian children in Saxony
The people who fled to Germany from the Ukraine and their families in the Ukraine would do the same, “much more urgently than we do”.
He referred to encounters and conversations with Ukrainian elementary school children that he recently had in Freiberg, Saxony.
However, Steinmeier drew clear boundaries for a peace agreement with Russia: "It must be a just peace that neither rewards land grabbing nor leaves the people in Ukraine to the arbitrariness and violence of their occupiers." Such a peace is "not yet tangible".
»Together we will get through this time«
The Federal President also addressed the economic consequences of the war in Germany.
These burdens are borne by the people "because you care about the fate of the Ukrainians" and "because you show solidarity and humanity".
"If there was one good thing this year, it was the experience: we'll get through this together," emphasized the Federal President.
Steinmeier also warned not to forget other urgent challenges in addition to war and economic worries.
»Even the fight against climate change has lost none of its urgency.
He can't wait, he needs all of us,” he said in his speech.
In addition, he wishes »that older people are willing to change again late in life«.
Steinmeier calls for more moderate climate protests
The Federal President indirectly addressed the spectacular but also controversial actions of the »Last Generation« group.
He wishes "that the younger ones get involved, that they are critical", but "without harming the cause of climate protection by antagonizing others".
Because "we all have a common goal: that the younger generation is not the 'last generation', but the first generation of a climate-friendly world," he continued.
"We were capable of so much more this year than we possibly thought we were capable of," Steinmeier continued, addressing the citizens of Germany.
“We acted boldly when our help was needed.
We stood up for each other.« He is proud that »so many people get involved – not because they have to, but because they feel responsible for others and for the community«.
Everyone could “draw strength and hope for the new year” from this.
Steinmeier's Christmas speech will be televised in full on the evening of December 25th.
col/AFP