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At the annual Security Conference in Munich, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk delivered a solemn address on the occasion of the award of the Ewald von Kleist Prize to the Ukrainian people, honoured for their heroic defence of sovereignty and freedom in the face of the Russian invasion.
“There is no award good enough. Even the Nobel Prize would not be good enough. I am absolutely convinced that you deserve more,” the head of the Polish government remarked.
Tusk spoke of Ukraine as an example of courage and determination, acknowledging both the bravery of the defenders and the hardships of the civilian population.
One of the stronger points of the speech was the refutation of claims about the alleged collapse of the West or NATO. Tusk strongly opposed narratives suggesting the alliance is obsolete. “I hear opinions that Europe is on the verge of collapse, that NATO is obsolete… Nonsense,” he said.
The Prime Minister warned against political realism based solely on interests and transactions, saying that such a philosophy leads to the loss of the foundations of civilisation.
“Those who think that everything can be bought should also remember that, according to this philosophy, everyone can be sold,” Tusk reminded.
Long live a strong and united Europe
In his speech, Tusk cited the experiences of Poland and Ukraine as examples of how Western values have real meaning and mobilise societies.
“And also for reminding us that what has become a boring everyday reality for the West, such as rights and freedoms, constitutions and democracies, prosperity and predictability, which we stopped caring about and began to undermine and question, is something you are ready to fight for,” Tusk noted.
He also stressed that “a united West with its values and institutions (…) is the best political invention in the history of mankind,” adding that this order must not be allowed to be destroyed, either by external or internal enemies.
“We must be strong. We must not stop being good. This is a Ukrainian lesson for all of us. Long live a free and independent Ukraine. Long live a strong and united Europe,” Donald Tusk concluded.
The Munich Security Conference is one of the most important annual meetings of world leaders dedicated to international security and the future of the global order.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski, who received the award in Munich together with representatives of the Ukrainian people, also emphasised the importance of supporting allies and continuing to defend one’s freedom and territorial integrity.