Jena stands by the side of Ukraine

Шановні українські друзі - Schanowni ukrajinski drusi

Dear citizens of Jena, dear guests,

Today we are standing here together - three years after the start of the major Russian attack on Ukraine. Three years of suffering, three years of resistance, three years of solidarity.

I am speaking today on behalf of our Lord Mayor, but with the same conviction and the same emphasis: Jena stands unwaveringly by the side of Ukraine and its people!

As Head of the Department for Social Affairs, Health, Climate and Immigration in Jena, I experience what this war means for people on a daily basis. In the advice centers, in the shelters, in their faces, I see their stories - stories of loss, but also of incredible courage. Thank you for this courage, for their courage!

As a mother, I can only imagine the pain that Ukrainian parents must feel when their children grow up in bomb shelters or when families are torn apart. The thought of having to send one of my sons to the front is unimaginable. This is the harsh reality in Ukraine.

This war hits women particularly hard. They bear the brunt of the flight, looking after children and elderly relatives, while many of their husbands are fighting on the front. I am deeply shocked by the reports of sexualized violence as a weapon of war. We must name these crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Yesterday, February 23, 2025, was an important day for Germany. The federal election moved us all. And while we are still processing the results, one thing is clear: Germany must stand up for democracy and freedom in these times - values that Ukraine fights and bleeds for every day. And we must continue to make our position clear - and that is on the side of a steadfast Ukraine!

Let me be clear: this war is not a distant crisis. It is a direct threat to us all. Russia has occupied Crimea and parts of Donbass since 2014. Since 2022, it has been waging a brutal war of aggression against the whole of Ukraine.

The figures are staggering: hundreds of thousands dead, including over 700 children. More than 20,000 Ukrainian children were deported to Russia and forcibly re-educated. At least 79 Ukrainian prisoners of war were executed by Russia, as confirmed by the UN Human Rights Mission.

Russia is waging a systematic war against the civilian population. Power stations, hospitals, cultural monuments - everything is being targeted. This is an attack on humanity itself!

I look at the turning point in European-American relations with great incomprehension. At a time when transatlantic unity is more important than ever, we are experiencing division and uncertainty. Ukraine needs a united Europe and America at its side, not wavering partners. As a local politician, I am very concerned about this development - because in the end, it is the local authorities that bear the consequences when international alliances crumble and support fails to materialize.

And we are also feeling the effects here in Europe: support for extremist parties, acts of sabotage on undersea cables and energy infrastructure, drones flying over military installations. The Danish Defense Intelligence Service warns urgently: in six months, Russia could attack another neighboring country, in two years, NATO countries in the Baltic States could be seriously threatened, and in five years, Russia could even wage a large-scale war in Europe.

Ladies and gentlemen, Ukraine is not just fighting for itself - it is fighting for the security of the whole of Europe!

In these difficult times, it is a particular pleasure for me to report on our new partnership with the Ukrainian city of Browary. Together with our twin city Erlangen, we have established a solidarity partnership with Browary. This triangular partnership is a strong symbol - it shows that we stand together across borders.

As Head of the Climate Department, I would like to emphasize this: The reconstruction of Ukraine must be sustainable and climate-friendly. This is where we can help with our knowledge and experience - for a greener, more resilient future.

In my responsibility for the health department, I see the traumatic consequences of the war for many refugees. We strive to provide special psychosocial services and work to facilitate access to medical care.

What is important to me in the area of social affairs and immigration is that we want to enable integration worthy of the name. Not just accommodation, but genuine participation in our society. To this end, we continue to support language courses, labor market integration and social inclusion.

I am particularly proud of the solidarity partnership between Jena and Erlangen with the Ukrainian city of Browary, which has been in place since the fall of 2022.

Browary, a city of a similar size to Jena, has experienced unimaginable suffering like many Ukrainian cities. Our partnership is not an empty gesture. It is a promise of active support, joint exchange and a shared future.

We will provide concrete help where it is needed. We will promote exchange between our cities - culturally, economically and in human terms. And we will strengthen the voice of Browary here in Germany.

At the same time, I can assure all Ukrainian refugees in Jena: you are welcome here! We stand by your side. We will do everything in our power to ensure that you feel at home in our city and can successfully integrate through work and education.

Let me make one thing clear at the end: Peace must not be submission! Ukraine must be able to negotiate on an equal footing. It needs our support - militarily, economically and diplomatically. The frozen assets of the Russian Federation must be used for Ukraine's needs.

The time to act is now! Ukraine is not only defending its own country, but also the fundamental values of our European community: freedom, democracy and self-determination.

In this spirit, I call out to everyone: Слава Україні! Slava Ukrajini! Glory to Ukraine!

Thank you very much.