BERLIN: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Germany in an emotional video address before parliament Thursday to help destroy a new 鈥淲all鈥� Russia was erecting in Europe.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not a Berlin Wall 鈥� it is a Wall in central Europe between freedom and bondage and this Wall is growing bigger with every bomb鈥� dropped on Ukraine, Zelensky told MPs.
Appearing on a screen in his now trademark khaki t-shirt with dark rings under his eyes, Zelensky was welcomed by MPs in the Bundestag lower house with a standing ovation.
In a speech steeped in historical imagery from Germany鈥檚 triumph over its Cold War division, Zelensky addressed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz directly with a call for greater solidarity with Ukraine.
鈥淒ear Mr.Scholz, tear down this Wall,鈥� he implored, evoking US President Ronald Reagan鈥檚 1987 appeal in Berlin.
鈥淕ive Germany the leadership role that you in Germany deserve.鈥�
However he coupled his flattery with a strong rebuke of Berlin鈥檚 years-long reluctance to stand up to Moscow and sever its strong energy and business ties with Russia.
鈥淲e turned to you,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e told you that Nord Stream (gas pipelines) was a kind of preparation for the war.鈥�
鈥淎nd the answer we got was purely economic 鈥� it is economy, economy, economy but that was the mortar for the new Wall.鈥�
The Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24 prompted an overhaul of key planks of Germany鈥檚 energy, economic and security policy 鈥� some of them dating back to the end of World War II.
It has put the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project on ice, joined allies in imposing punishing sanctions on Ukraine and pledged a massive increase in defense spending while dropping a ban on arms exports to conflict zones in order to aid Ukraine.
Germany has also said it aims to be nearly free of Russian oil imports by the end of this year although it still remains heavily dependent on Russian gas.
However Berlin has resisted an outright halt to Russian energy imports, warning it would cause winter shortages and drive inflation, creating potential instability in Europe鈥檚 top economy.