The Verkhovna Rada embodies Europe's democratic resistance: President of the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany
11 March 2026, 16:50
On 11 March, Julia Klöckner, President of the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany, addressed the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
After her election, she visited Kyiv for the first time at the invitation of Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
Julia Klöckner's visit was a powerful political signal of solidarity with Ukraine and support from the German Parliament at the highest level.
During her speech from the rostrum of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Julia Klöckner emphasised that the Verkhovna Rada is the embodiment of Europe's democratic resistance. "The fact that you are making decisions at a time when your country is under attack and defending itself is truly remarkable resilience. Every session day in the Verkhovna Rada is also a message to the russian president, who feels only contempt for freedom and democracy. And this message is that Ukraine will not allow itself to be deprived of political freedom," said Julia Klöckner.
According to her, Ukraine is fighting not only for its borders, but also for the principle that Europe built after the catastrophes of the 20th century, the idea of human dignity, the idea of universal human rights, the right that a person has the right to be a person without preconditions. “And when we look at russia, we see that there is no place for this idea in putin’s imperial worldview, namely the idea of universal human rights. What is the value of an individual's life in his eyes? For the russian president, only power is important — for us, life is important, every single life," said the President of the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany, noting that Europe is learning from Ukraine, in particular, resilience.
Julia Klöckner announced that Germany is currently allocating an additional €200 million to strengthen Ukraine's defence against russian terror. The funds will be used for reconnaissance drones and civil defence to better protect people and vital infrastructure.
She assured that Germany would not forget the suffering of Ukrainians and those responsible for it: "We must document and punish russian war crimes — we owe it to the victims and to the future. Because where crimes go unpunished, new evil grows."
Separately, Julia Klöckner called on the Verkhovna Rada to continue active reforms during the war. "I am aware of the intensity of the debates, for example, on the judicial system, the fight against corruption and decentralisation. I can only encourage you: continue these debates openly and in parliament. Not because reforms during wartime sound nice, but because they show what you are fighting for: a state governed by law, transparency and control; a state that thrives not on violence, but on the trust of its citizens," she said.
The Ukrainian MPs applauded the President of the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany, Julia Klöckner, and all of Germany for their unconditional support of Ukraine.