Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko receives European Future Award via video address

First award ceremony in Berlin

On 19 October 2026, a solemn ceremony dedicated to the presentation of the European Future Award took place in the German capital. This was the first event in the history of this international award, initiated by the organisation Tu was für Europa under the leadership of former European Parliament President Martin Schulz. The event was held under the patronage of German Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil.

The main purpose of the award is to recognise the activities of individuals who contribute to strengthening European unity, protecting democratic values, human rights, and solidarity. Among the first laureates, in addition to the Ukrainian politician, were actor Daniel Brühl, Anna Zeiter, and Meral Şimşek.

Reasons for the Mayor of Kyiv's absence from the event

Vitali Klitschko, who heads Kyiv, had planned to arrive in Berlin in person to receive the award. However, the intensification of the situation in the Ukrainian capital forced him to change his plans. Due to the intensification of Russian strikes, the mayor decided to remain in Kyiv.

According to Klitschko, the enemy has intensified attacks on critical and civilian infrastructure facilities. Power plants, bridges, educational institutions, hospitals, and residential buildings are under fire. That is why the Mayor of Kyiv joined the award ceremony via video link.

Address to the European community

In his video address, Vitali Klitschko emphasised that the war in Ukraine concerns not only the Ukrainian people but also the future of all of Europe. He called on European partners to maintain unity in countering Russian aggression.

«Ми більше ніколи не хочемо війни в Європі. Мир потребує нашої спільної відповідальності. Свобода потребує людей, які підтримують одне одного» ("We never want war in Europe again. Peace requires our joint responsibility. Freedom requires people who support one another"), stated the Mayor of Kyiv.

Klitschko accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of attempting to break Ukrainian resistance through massive strikes on civilian infrastructure. In the mayor's view, one of the goals of such actions is to create a new wave of refugees who will leave Ukrainian cities and join the ranks of displaced persons in European countries. In his belief, this is intended to increase pressure on Ukraine's European partners to force them to abandon support and demand capitulation.

«Але цього ніколи не станеться!» ("But this will never happen!"), Klitschko categorically emphasised, adding that Ukraine's aspiration for a European future comes at a high price, but it is precisely the hope for a shared future that helps Ukrainians continue the fight.

Assessment of the laureate's contribution

The jury recognised Vitali Klitschko for his activities aimed at protecting freedom and the right of people to determine their own future independently. Jury representatives emphasised that the Mayor of Kyiv's contribution goes far beyond the defence of the Ukrainian capital and the state as a whole.

In the opinion of the organisers, Klitschko's activities embody the struggle for fundamental European values: freedom, human rights, and the right to self-determination. The Ukrainian mayor's speech was met by loud applause and standing ovations from the ceremony attendees.