Vitali Klitschko: Ukraine will not exist without support

The armed forces in Ukraine are fighting back: mobilization is underway everywhere. A country under attack.

According to Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maljar, forces are being deployed to defend the capital Kyiv, including to defend against the Russian attack in the north and north-west of the city.

After a night of a violent fire outside of Kyiv, BILD Vice President Paul Ronzheimer met the Klitschko brothers Wladimir and Vitali, the city’s mayor.

Vitali Klitschko: “The night in Kyiv was calm, there were no bombs here. There was a strong battle on the border of Kyiv.” About 20 people were injured, but there is still no information about the dead. Many tanks and military units are coming to the Kyiv border.

Wladimir Klitschko: “In a social media video, I called on the whole world, but especially Germany, to support Ukraine and peace – in every way. All communication with Russia – be it economic or sporting – must be stopped. With this we can stop this aggression and ultimately stop it.”

What does arms delivery mean?

Vitali: “It is important to help us. We defend ourselves, without support Ukraine will not exist.” It is important to be strong, to have friends. “I would like to thank Germany again for the support. I also thank you for the helmets, they are important too. But still, we have to be strong. Weapons give us a lot of strength.”

And further: “Civilians are dying, this is an attack on the peaceful city of Kyiv. This is not just a war against Ukraine, this is a war against all of Europe.”

What should Olaf Scholz say in the Bundestag?

Wladimir Klitschko: “Tough sanctions against Belarus. Not to forget, it is an alliance between Belarus and Russia. Every shipment of military equipment comes from Belarus.” And: “It’s not just a fight for peace in our country in Ukraine, but for peace in Europe.”

Vitali: “We are on the verge of catastrophe. The logistics are broken. The bridges have exploded, people are afraid to come here. We need food products, medicines, water.”