On 14th May 2023, the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen 2023 awarded H.E. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the People of Ukraine. By awarding the Charlemagne Prize 2023 to both the president and the people, the Board of Directors of the Society for the Conferring of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen underscores the fact that Ukraine is part of Europe and that its population and its government representatives – headed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – support and defend European values, and therefore deserve this encouragement to enter swiftly into accession negotiations with the European Union.

“In this defensive war, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not only the president of his people and commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, he has also assumed the role of motivator, communicator, driving force and anchor between Ukraine and its vast array of supporters", it is my delight to quote the Board of Directors of the Society for the Conferring of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen. “Zelenskyy is a diplomat, a motivator and – if, in his opinion, the situation so warrants – also a highly articulate critic. Zelenskyy gives Ukraine – and the European Union – strength to believe in this ideal. It is in this respect that he also sets an example for all Europeans to refocus and reflect on European ideals and values.”

Just before the ceremony the President of the Ukraine stopped in Berlin, where he spoke these words, I like to highlight: "The time for action is now. We all want this war to finally end, but with a just and fair peace. Ukraine and all of Europe must be free. Our territorial integrity and security and the territorial integrity and security of all the peoples of Europe must be guaranteed. Now is the time for us to determine the end of this war this year. This year we can make the defeat of the aggressor irreversible."

Read the citation: https://www.karlspreis.de/en/news/charlemagne-prize-2023