In his “Letter from Kyiv” published today, Wladimir Klitschko addresses the Germans with emotional words and begins by commemorating the many earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria: “The noises and dramas of the world reach us despite the noise of the bombs. “I think with sadness for all the victims and with admiration for the rescuers who are still searching under the rubble for survivors. Wars and natural disasters are the breeding ground for the worst and the best of humanity.”
Wladimir Klitschko, who has adopted Hamburg for years, is currently in Kiev. His brother Vitali Klitschko is the mayor of the Ukrainian capital. Shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine almost a year ago, Wladimir Klitschko joined the reserve army of the Ukrainian armed forces and announced at the beginning of the war that he wanted to defend Ukraine together with his brother. Since then he has regularly addressed the public from there and from Germany to provide first-hand information about what is happening on site and to solicit support.
Only a few days after the publication of an open letter led by left-wing politician Sahra Wagenknecht and author Alice Schwarzer, he is now again addressing the Germans. With the support of a number of celebrities, including theologian Margot Käßmann and musician Reinhard Mey, the two women had pleaded for an end to arms deliveries to Ukraine and announced a petition entitled “Manifesto for Peace”.
In his letter, Wladimir Klitschko reports on constant attacks on civilian infrastructure, on rape and deportation, forced adoption and Russification of children. “The further the war progresses, the greater the hatred.” He warns against Russian propaganda and related narratives. “They believe that the western population could get tired at some point,” says Klitscho. But: “I think they are wrong. Just as they underestimated the Ukrainian people and army, they also underestimate the willingness of Europeans and Americans to defend their values and support their allies.”
Despite everything, the propaganda is now bearing fruit. In the debate about arms deliveries, he reads “between the lines” that “some people think that we are exaggerating, that we are increasingly demanding that the Russians should be given a hand.” In short, it is assumed that the Ukrainians are real warmongers.” In their petition, Schwarzer and Wagenknecht had criticized the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, among others, and wrote: “After the promised tanks, he is now also calling for fighter jets, long-range missiles and warships – to Russia all along the line?” Ukraine could indeed win individual battles with the support of the West. “But it cannot win a war against the world’s largest nuclear power.”
For Klitschko – even if he does not explicitly address the new petition in his open letter – a sign of “the strength of Russian propaganda: portraying the victims as enemies of peace and, above all, letting them forget that it is Russia, which has a free and attacking a sovereign country and, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, tramples on all principles of international law.”
Klitschko describes the current mood in Kiev as “strange”: “Everyone feels and knows that Russia is preparing a new major offensive. The Russian leadership cannot bear to see their megalomaniac dreams of neo-imperialism shattered against the wall of the Ukrainian resistance. Russia wants to make amends for the insult and needs a strong symbolic victory.” While others suspected an offensive in the east, the capital knew that the invaders probably had Kiev in mind. “They collect material and troops for it. They change their tactics. But they haven’t changed their vision: Ukraine should be erased from the map,” said Klitschko. “For them, Ukraine has no right to exist either as a state or as a culture.”
The former professional boxer also addresses the discussion about the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Olympic Games in Paris. “Russia wants to exploit the neutrality of sport to clean up its crimes. This must not happen.”
Despite the injustice, Klitschko remains optimistic. “They will not succeed in demobilizing and dividing us. Our love for life and freedom is stronger than their hate.” He thanks for the “unwavering support”. “For a year I have seen Germany’s continued support, I have met your chancellor and ministers, here in Kyiv or on official visits to Berlin and elsewhere. I know that the overwhelming majority of the German people do not fall for propaganda and do not confuse aggressors with victims,” Klitschko continued. “Yes, we need weapons to defend ourselves. Yes, we need humanitarian material to deal with the consequences of attacks that are deliberately aimed at civilians.” Thanks to the help of the Germans, the Ukrainians are better prepared for further attacks by Russia than a year ago. “I tell you that after this war we will always be proud to have the German people as a brother nation. History will be my witness.”
