The leader of a country's government. - Schwesig emphasizes partnerships' significance in aiding Ukraine.
Manuela Schwesig, the Minister President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, expressed her support for Ukraine during a high-level conference for its reconstruction in Berlin. The SPD politician emphasized that Germany and its federal states stand with Ukraine, as they share common European values such as peace, freedom, democracy, diversity, and mutual respect.
Since the start of the Russian invasion, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has been providing aid to Ukraine through various means. The state has organized aid shipments and taken in refugees, with a particular focus on women and children. Earlier this year, they established a partnership with the region of Chernihiv and provided 250,000 euros to construct protective rooms in local schools.
In addition to material aid, there is also medical support coming from the University Clinics in Rostock and Greifswald. This summer, 40 children from the affected region will visit Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for a holiday camp to help them recover from their experiences. Schwesig stated that regional partnerships can provide concrete help in the current crisis. She will participate in a discussion round on Thursday about cooperation at the regional level, which is part of the conference.
The conference is attended by representatives from approximately 60 countries and has a focus on establishing connections between relevant actors in politics, business, civil society, and international organizations. It is not a donor conference where money is collected for reconstruction but rather an opportunity for networking.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz opened the conference, emphasizing the need for strengthening Ukraine's air defense in the face of recurrent Russian attacks. Scholz urged allies to support a German initiative to enhance Ukraine's air defense, while Zelenskyy mentioned the country's requirement of at least seven more Patriot systems to shield its cities and agglomerations.
