We are Fighting for Ukraine

Addressing his audience in German, the former heavyweight boxing champion asserted that the best way of responding to Russia’s attempt to slice off Crimea is to make Ukraine an economically successful country. If Ukraine can offer its citizens better quality of life, then fewer will want to turn to Russia. As the mayor of Kiev, Ukraine’s capital city, he wants to set an example for the rest of the country by pushing through essential reforms. The health care system and the police force are to key areas to address. A rigorous fight against corruption is also essential, for Ukraine desperately needs to shake its sorry reputation as the most corrupt country in Europe.

Klitschko, who retired from boxing in 2005 in order to focus on Ukrainian politics, was a leading figure in the Euromaidan protests of 2013–2014. He was elected mayor of Kiev in May 2014.

Following his speech, in a question-and-answer session moderated by Stefan Meister, Klitschko briefly described concrete plans for reform – touching on federalism and energy efficiency, for example – before focusing on Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia. When asked why many Germans seem to be sympathetically inclined toward Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, Klitschko bitterly acknowledged "that Russian propaganda is indeed quite successful – even here in Germany.” This is not helping the cause of reform within Ukraine. But Germany has also been a key partner to the country, and there is no question of turning away from that friendship. In his closing remarks, Klitschko showed optimism: “The path ahead may be difficult, but that is the very reason why we must pursue it.”