was not only economic help of political support, but also military support. again, he referred to that today when he met german leaders. and it's important to stress that that support was actually today, very evident because it comes just as drummond data is announced that they are helping the crating of that given ukraine. another very big package of mandatory 8 was 2700000000 euros has been described as the biggest package yet to come from germany. so for ukraine and in particular for the presidency, lensky essentially means that he can count on that support from europe. it hasn't always been easy, monica, it was just about to say because he's actually being accompanied too often in order to receive this price by the durham and chancellor, they were not always as close as, as we can witness than to be today. absolutely the case, in fact, the past. yeah, we have seen many controversies. we have seen many difficulties in the bilateral relationship in particular for what ukrainian leaders,

any particular mississippians to believe was germany's reluctance when it came to sending weapons also. and this is another important issue. there was a lot of criticism coming from ukraine, but not only from ukraine, also from some of the many most important allies for what they had to consider to be traveling east coast and as to rush out before the war begun. you may know that germany had a very important but very difficult relationship as well. with russia, there was a dependence from gemini on russian energy. and since that will be gone, germany has tried to reduce that dependent that's actually successfully reduced that dependence on russian energy. but viewed from keith viewed from other european capitals even viewed from washington, that's dependent on that relationship that germany had in the past to russia was very problematic indeed. and that's why the relationship between germany and the crate on a particular between the 2 governments had been very difficult and that's why vis visit now in particular, is seen as a way to smooth and things out to make those problems possible. the past to look

forward to really think about the issues where they go see i to i, i would still like to stress that is but in every issue that they still see i twice . but that's at least the message that trying to send when we see, for example, the images earlier today. but they know these minutes early on, those 4 presidents have, as to when he see presidents to lensky visiting, but only the german johnson a but also the german president. fun part. this time i was germany's head of state . now all of us, the, when we will see president citizens keep receiving this very important award, the charlemagne price. so it's all about this show of sort of directed and unity even understanding that in the past they had been very difficult moments between germany. a new create of course. and because you mentioned the the charlemagne prize, obviously that awards ceremony were going to follow for you as soon as it starts. and we have some very high level speakers there. also they, we owe a lot, schultz. they will be the president of the european commission. they'll be the ponies prime minister, who also hasn't always seen eye to eye it with,

with german politicians with will actual so that also very interesting that he's actually participating actively participating in this ceremony. and of course, would love to be a so lensky will speak himself after he receives the award. when you mention about those, those frictions is that they were at the thoughts of, of this war and how it's changed. for one, it has to do obviously with, with jim and economic interest to the high dependency on, on russia, especially in terms of energy. but also within germany. some public resistance towards somehow being caught off of anything to do with the military which has to do with, with german history. has that been overcome now, or is this actually growing in the process of being overcome that reluctance? i would actually say germany in the past was really reluctant. they with policies in place that prevented germany from san the weapons to conflict areas. for example,

again, as you correctly mentioned, that have to do with germany's history germany. so it's current obligations if you will. there's current role more from the diplomatic front, but when the war and ukraine begun, germany understood slowly, but it did understand that it had to change that he had to shift the word here in germany to understand that is site and vendor which is a part of a speech that translational escape, only a few days after the war in ukraine begun. it means a change of political a. rodney essentially means a change in german phone and security policy. and that's change actually means that germany began to understand that it also have to help you crane not only with words or with diplomacy or with money, but they'd also have to do it with weapons. and the process would be no difficult one. it hasn't, it wasn't always the case of gemini immediately said ok, we'll send weapons and then those weapons was sent. it was accompanied by a very difficult and sometimes young political debate. germany is

a giant that moves slowly. and you can clearly see that here because it's something that also that is always accompanied by the political debate drum and the design. in particular, german chancellor was very clear that if he was going to make these big changes, he had to have the german public on board. and the german public was not always on board wasn't always very happy, single job and he was changing stance. all of a sudden when it came to some very important elements that had been key in germany for decades. so that's why germany has moved slowly for ukraine and for some of germany's allies to slowly and such an occasion. and that's where the criticism comes from. but if you view it internally, if you view it from someone like what's here in germany, it's part of the political debate that germany has been going through step by step . and it has understood, and i do think today we're seeing a kid example of why that is understood. they have to make that change. it doesn't mean that that change will know have any problems in the next few weeks or in the next few months. one is very difficult issue, which is also mentioned during the pressure or is what the issue of fighter jets

would. yeah, germany's is very, very reason line between weapons for defense and the weapons that could be used for attack and of course fight to jets. all of us up and bringing natal even closer to the community. exactly. the question in that case would be, when does a country a when does alliance and alliance in this case, and they to become part of a whole party to a will understanding that obviously from a legal standpoint, nature wants to avoid that team to help ukraine defend itself, they see russia as the aggressor and they understand that they need to help you create to defend itself. but as you say, there's a very, very thin line between providing that for ukraine. so do you claim can defend itself and then being potty to a, to a will, which is something that obviously you're up once to avoid russian. on the other hand, believes that europe is already positive. the one that nato paid actually a role in creating this war in the 1st space. but that's another way that this is viewed here in europe is a fascinating debate. gentleman's. we will continue discussing it. obviously also

keeping an eye on the, on the, the life, the images that we're waiting for in order to share with you that awards ceremony. wendy, you training president will receive the very prestigious international charlemagne prize in austin. i want to transition a thomas barrow of the ukraine presidents instead of russia's invasion of his grade last year. presidential in skis. leadership has certainly been put to the test. he has a match largely as a symbol of strength and assistance. so it is a closer look at how this i'm likely lead to as navigated, europe's 1st war indicates was the one with the avenue agreement. that'd be nice. so ukraine's president followed the nearest of landscape and estimate for work award time leaders who never expected to be one. but rushes 2022 invasion shattered europe's post cold war order. and literally marching to the anniversary of nazi germany's world war 2 to feed. so landscape out ukraine would prevail in today's

struggle against aggression from a different neighbor, literally something deem keyboard on one side we fought then to we fight now, so that no one ever again and slaves other nations or destroys other countries. so each agree. you set this on all those old evils that modern russia is bringing back will be defeated. just as nazi germany was defeated for us. we think the lensky rose to fame as a comedian starting as a fictional president and the popular tv show servant of the people. it became the name of his real life political campaign, with a focus on tackling corruption, planning to. ready go by the ones causing inventory. zalinski was 41 years old when ukrainians elected him president in 2019 as russia a mast for so long as a border with ukraine. so lensky down played talk of a possible invasion. but when russian troops across the border and began advancing

on keep so lensky remained on the capital in a show of courage. with reading the shop, with a multi seemed to reach his nightly video messages, helped to keep up morale, and inspired world wide admiration. as ukraine pushed back against the russian invaders or the 2 lensky has also visited troops close to the front line, including the embattled eastern city of buck moot. so lensky is communication and public image. in contrast to the authoritarian style surrounding rushes, president vladimir putin had helped ukraine or in western sympathies and pledges have continued support. savanski has been especially keen to prosper membership in the european union. on a visit to brussels ahead of the 1st anniversary of russia's invasion. he said there wouldn't be peace in europe until ukraine was a part of the e u. c. moment. and there was nobody we are protecting europe from the regime that has proven that it only has one desire to destroy the freedom of europe. to be

enough for is harry and master on the continent and that continent. it is for this commitment to defending europe and its values that will load them. here's a lensky has been chosen for this year. charlemagne prize the used top award for contributions to european unity and that's exactly what we are covering now. namely, the international charlemagne, price of a $12023.00 of the city of austin and west and germany, where the ukrainian president allowed him yet savanski will be awarded this for stitches price a. we saw also some european great dignitaries, thomas barry dw, split a little corresponding issue with me in the studio to also give us a little bit of context. and we should be seeing life images any moment off the stage in awesome. do we know exactly where they are published in the city of ahem? in western germany where the traditional prize is normally given, i know it's important to also stress that until the very last minute it wasn't

clear whether mr. savanski would be attending this requires us for security reasons . absolutely. or where they would be delivering a video message. you can imagine that security protocol in and was incredibly tight when you in advance that leaders and, and political leaders, but all secure to the doesn't know what preparing for both scenarios. so for an official in person visit by mr. savanski, but also for the possibility that you would be delivering a video message in any case for us. and this is particularly important. it's also by the way, very significant for mr. zalinski himself. we've been talking about european unity on when it comes to your rippey and you need to, when it comes to european solidarity. mr. savanski views himself as part of the european project. that's by the way, something that we've also seen in various press conferences in various appearances . and i think that's why for him in this particular case, those are about showing that ukraine also belongs in a way to the european family. however,

it's also important to stress that this does not mean that ukraine will be a member of the european union very soon. that's always a very long process. it takes some time. there are many reforms that have to be carried out by the country that wants to into the european union. so there will be probably a signal that ukraine belongs to the european family. but the, it does not translate immediately to the fact that ukraine will be part of the european union. so i would certainly say that for us on the city hosting this uh prize for me. so sealants, but also for germany. unimportant moment. and as you stress monica, an important moment that will be with this, by the way, not only by mr. savanski and german johnson that shows, but we're also going to hit was the phone design, the president of the european commission. we have met there which one of the ski from poland, the polish leader, and we have all this the savanski who is expected to give a speech late during the proceedings. and uh, if i uh, research this correctly, we will have, obviously, because this is

a specific location we will hear music and poetry and o by ukrainian autism both alive and already did that is also, i mean that's, that's, that's not just a nice touch when you look at some of the titles of, of those pieces of music that we're going to hear. and hollins that lives at pray a for the ukraine. that's a real sort of, of emotional support that is shown here for ukraine. because the award the charlemagne prize is not just bestowed to the president of ukraine, but also as it says in the title of the, the location to the people of youth. yes, indeed, the president will be crane receiving this award on behalf of the ukrainian people and it was given to the ukraine and people that missed the landscape because of that fight because of the fight for um, for their own sovereignty. but also as it was stressed by those who awarded the

prize, because essentially means a fight for european values. and we can now see those life pictures or the picture that be from the city of often. but they, they, they, they are, i sing file pictures to show was previous, a station at the city. so what's the waiting for, for the life event? today's event to begin. uh, obviously we will see, uh, the dignitaries at, uh, let's see. so lensky and everybody who's expected or left shoals, we will see them hopefully into this big festive hole in order to stop this location, this festive location, or so the people of ukraine because we talked earlier, we talked earlier about the fact that this, this procedures prize is awarded to big figures

a heads of state politicians, but also maybe ordinary people who did something very special for you repeat unity that is the 4th that he was also a founded in 1949. obviously, after the horrendous, the 2nd world war and the aftermath for european unity, but have, if the people of a country also have been awarded or is that a novelty? the idea is really about european unity. it's about showing people institutions. lee does that have really made a difference when it comes to european unity. in some cases, it is absolutely evident what kind of role these people august institutions played in terms of european unity in other cases. it's not that evident, but it's obviously always clearly explained by the organization that awards uh the,

the charlemagne prize. in this particular case, the reason why most of the landscape and in particular that you, quine and people were awarded the charlemagne prize will hear more about that. once the ceremony stotts is because of the fight for the, for the sovereignty of the country. but if everybody's stressed a few minutes ago, it's also about making sure that it's not only about ukraine, it's not only something that's refers to what's happening on ukrainian soil that the fight is something that goes much further than that. it's about european values . we're talking here about ukraine, a country that was innovated, a country which territorial integrity suffered because of that invasion coming from russia. and it was clear today, for example, in the german trying 3 way. let me says that and he met tons of the shows that, that fight for terry to real integrity is something that has to go beyond ukraine. that's something that is important for all countries and for old continents that no country can simply innovate another country and change borders using force that the

something that has to be really, really clear, they can be no exceptions. to that. i mean, this idea seems a strong signal to moscow. ultimately i produce a no, i would just about to say that it's sends a clear signal to moscow. that's what must go, did invade ukraine. change board us is actually something that's unacceptable in today's world. and that's the message ultimately that's being sent from often now, but also previously from funding. and by the way, it's not only about spelling and, and most of the landscape has been on a sort of european tour, if you will. he wasn't a tele only yesterday. he visited the netherlands, he visited fin none, and he's visited of the european capitals as well in the past. i think his goal that is to really strengthen that support coming from european capitals to his cause. it's also about making sure that people in those copies, those in those countries continue being interested in what's happening in ukraine. because the longer there will go was, the higher the risk maybe that people stop being interested or the interest in some

ways reduces itself that the cost for actually giving support is becoming too high, becoming higher. yeah, they have to pay higher energy prices, for example, in germany, which is a direct consequence. absolutely. and so across europe, in the western world, you can, you can feel to a noel or a larger extent. and the impact that the support has on the domestic economies and domestic lives. so it's really is about keeping people interested and yeah, yeah. get that support over say we can't compare the impact that there was that a new crane with millions of people have been affected with millions of people. i've suffered directly with the impact that you can see in other units in capitals . that's i think it's good go to compare that. but you can say that in directly of, as the european capitals have been affected, european countries are being affected by the war and ukraine, for example, when it comes to the issue of high energy costs. i mean that we see clearly here in,

in germany and there is a risk. i would agree with you that as the will continues, that maybe people see that the cost is too high for them to continue supporting ukraine. and that's why probably one of the reasons why mr. savanski is going to these different capitals is to say that support needs to continue because it's not only about ukraine is also about get up in values that are at stake. something good by the way. we've also heard from other european leaders, and we've also heard by the way, from johnson, the restaurants. and the interesting thing is also is that, of course, the longer the war continues, the wish for peace is equally growing. i can not at any cost, and i found it very interesting that the german chancellor will officials also consent, that an on the line to that, that peace negotiations have to be on ukraine's terms. and not the some, some meddling, just for the sake of peace, fair and just peace. that's how,

what are the things that landscape described in today's press conference with tons of the site. it's basically saying that software, empty and 3rd, tote, integrity, over you create, have to be respected. it's not peace dictated by rush life, not peace at all costs, but ukraine's territory integrity and silver and to have to be respected. obviously, european leaders are thinking about how peace could be achieved, how peace could be prepared. what kind of tab has to be in place as being discussion about a 10 point piece plan. but the 1st of best leap fighting has to stop 1st. obviously, that has to be some respect for ukraine's territories integrity and for ukraine's supper. again, that's something that you would need us have clearly stated on various occasions. so there is an understanding about the need for peace. see fact savanski himself said they would like to win the will by the end of this. yeah, the question is how that piece can actually be achieved. and that's a very big question. if you ask germans,

they have been poles on best. many would actually like germany to have a bigger role when it comes to diplomatic efforts to end the war in ukraine. but that's, again, is a challenge because germany doesn't want to, by the way european need us to want to have the pro magic discussion when the war is still ongoing. again, because the idea is that war can not be, that the piece cannot be dictated by, by russia, that it has to be fed. and just under it has to, above all mean the respect for you, craig's territorial integrity. and just a quick reminder for the of us who may just have joined us in a wondering what they're seeing and hearing. we're currently seeing life pictures from the west, germans, austin, where and this where shortly the rest showed me. the award ceremony will take place where the molding isn't lensky. the president of the ukraine will receive the international charlemagne prize off off and then he'll be accompanied by the german

chancellor. we will also hear a speech by the european commission president was left on the line. the polish prime minister will be here also by the way, in the studio with me still to him, a sparrow. why is the published prime minister there as well? well, i think the published prime minister plays an important role when it comes to understand different visions that may come from, from europe on the one hand, holding a state, a significant role in supporting ukraine. podium has paid by the way, a significant role in supporting ukrainian refugees that have had to leave the country since the beginning of the war. something good, by the way, germany has also done. if you just look at germany over a 1000000 people from ukraine have arrived in this country since the war in ukraine begun. so the idea is bringing together different personalities that can really reflect this idea of european units coming from different angles from different

perspective. you have the german chancellor, you have the president of the european commission. so the brussels perspective, and you have the leader of poland presenting that idea of central eastern europe as well. so i think that's an interesting choice for the, for the list here in the chart of main prize. but i think it's also an important one. recognizing that poland has played really an important role when it comes to supporting ukraine. has put a lot of pressure by the way, indeed in germany too, for germany to increase its health. it's not always been easy from the drummond perspective to hear those words from poland. but from a you ukrainian perspective would have been very important because germany has faced pressure when it comes to delivering weapons to delivering other kind of support towards ukraine. it has maybe taken longer than what you crane would like, but it has come and it has come in part because of pressure coming. not only from keith, but also from other cap adults. and when you think about the capitals where that person has been coming, you have to include, well,

so you have to include other places like washington as well, lead us from those countries saying that you have any strict play a more important role. but it comes to helping you crazy. and you see that by the way, with concrete actions that have come only the last few hours yesterday, germany announced a very big military package for ukraine. 2.7000000000 euros described as the biggest package yet that ukraine is receiving and military times a clear symbol, a clear signal of germany's support. i think that explains why we have these different personalities today. meeting in, in a 100 for the, for the ceremony where the ukranian president, mr. celeste will be receiving the charlemagne prize for europe in unity on behalf of the ukrainian people. and we'll of course be watching that and we'll be sharing that with you as soon as this ceremony begins, because you just mentioned those 2700000000 euros and military support during the press conference in berlin today. that even led to the president crane president to,

to, to quick, you know, basically i just have to come back a few more times and, and will be sort of set. and it's even made to the job of chancellor loss. and that moment, which is a site we don't see very often this. the support also is one of the reasons, obviously why as the ukraine, the president is traveling not just a german yesterday, he was in in italy. indeed the last stop before berlin was it. it to me and this lensky. i was in rome. he went to the van to come to was the very 1st time since the war broke out, that he was there. and while in the tele and capital who received assurance of 8 am support from politicians as well as the pope of the dozens of ukrainians living in italy waited for hours in the rain chanting and waving flags hoping to catch a glimpse of their president on his 1st trip to rome, since russia's invasion, more than a year ago, which i mean, we are all still us today. we gather to you in the rain to express

a lot of ready to tell president where you will. we also told him, you lost him and wishing peace. i'm only a lawyer. we as you turn in community, easily without being without president wishing the best. and in this time of war, he is doing a good job. who's the president of all of them? and then to get to, you know, the crowd cheered as the motorcade went by on its way to key g palace, the seat of battalion government. their president to lend speech met was prime minister, georgia, and is only the 2 gave each other a warm embrace before heading inside for a closed door meeting, which lasted more than an hour and a joint press conference. after the talks, malone reaffirmed italy staunch support for ukraine's war effort with military and other aid by bush and see how to do it up. so, i mean, to people arise only if russia stops hostility and the attacks on civilians,

you know, we will. yeah. and i'll probably thought everybody, nobody knows, we want to reiterate or appeal to moscow. i mean, you have to stop the aggression and withdraw its troops from ukrainian territory. that's the reason we are in favor of a diplomatic solution of the consequences. nobody got a complete maloney express support for president. so lensky is 10 point piece, plus, which calls for the withdrawal of russian troops. the restoration of ukraine internationally recognized borders, and the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute russian war crimes. zalinski thanked italy for its support. then it was onto the vatican where the ukrainian president had a private audience with pope frances. he presented the pontiff with a bullet proof vest that had been painted with an image of the madonna following their meeting, which lasted some 40 minutes. zalinski sent a tweet saying he asked the pope to also publicly back his peace plan

with those. so do you create a new president? let them yet savanski. they're not missing words yesterday. also telling the pope to be publicly backing the ukraine, i. e taking a public stance also against russia. something that the vatican was struggling with as well. yes. and that's why all this visit is particularly significant as a broad, uh, visit that we have to understand. it's not only about him visiting the magic can of visiting rome or visiting, but then it's really about and that's how i see it. a broad international appeal that misses that lensky is taking to different peer to peer and capital is to say, please continue to support us 1st and foremost with weapons. without munition, that's his short term goal. there's been a lot of talk about a possible offensive counter offensive mindful that she needs that support coming from the west. but i would also say that he's here and emission which is a bit small long term and that's

a political support for ukraine's european perspective. you guys mentioned that on various occasions actually believes ukraine is part of the european community that he would like to see ukraine as a member of a native of the trans atlantic mandatory alliance. that he would start to see ukraine as a member of the european union. he would like to see more support coming from european capitals towards that perspective. on the key word here monica's perspective because there is so a perspective, the key question is how long back perspective will last until it turns into reality . and that can be a long process we've. we've seen that with others. absolutely. we've seen them other countries that it takes a long time before they really make all the necessary forms to become members of the rip in union. there is a possibility of, of fast tracking certain elements. but then that's the issue of proportionality. you don't want to give you credit the possibility to really fast track until they get up and union, what other countries have been waiting for many, many years to do the the same. so there are certain rules that have to be fulfilled

before a country can join the block. so the key word again is perspective. it's showing that both of the ukrainian side and from the use side, there's at least the idea that ukraine will belong to the european family. and the fact by the way that he's receiving this charlemagne prize, which is a prize specifically on drippy and unity, is an indication that these european leaders attending and other european leaders do seen ukraine as part of the broad european community. they do see ukraine as of playing that role in when it comes to european unit 2, when it comes to european values when it comes to european priorities. and that's something that explains why for mr. lensky, this visit to germany today. and in particular, this visit to the west of germans that you're behind. so relevant this afternoon and we expect tim, together with the gentleman, chancellor or less sholtes of any moment that this afternoon. we've already seen some life pictures from.