Zelensky accepts Munich Security Conference award on behalf of Ukrainian people

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has received the Ewald von Kleist Award of the Munich Security Conference, which this year was bestowed upon the Ukrainian people.

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, the award ceremony took place at the Munich Residence on Saturday evening.

"I'm very proud to be here and it's a great honor for me. I'm very proud to have such friends and to be the president of Ukraine, of our people, our great nation. I thank Germany and your people who are supporting us from the very beginning of the full-scale war," Zelensky said during the ceremony.

The Ukrainian leader stressed that Germany is currently the country providing the largest volume of assistance to Ukraine. In particular, Zelensky highlighted Germany's contribution to building a critically important air defense system amid Russian strikes on energy infrastructure and civilian facilities.

The Ewald von Kleist Award, established by the founder of the Munich Security Conference, Ewald von Kleist-Schmenzin, has been presented since 2009 for outstanding contributions to international cooperation and conflict resolution.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger, announced that the 2026 award would go to the Ukrainian people, who have been fighting for their freedom, independence, and dignity for more than ten years.

Photo: Video screenshot