The Munich Security Conference has rarely been so important. And as we were three years ago, just before Putin sent his tanks off to Kyiv shaking the security of all of us to the core, we now once again stand at an existential milestone for our security in Europe.

For three years, there is nothing we have wanted more than peace. Ukraine, Europe and America have yearned for peace. Putin’s decision to finally come to the negotiating table is three years overdue. He started this brutal war and he must finally end it. It’s clear here that what we need at the end of the negotiations is a solution that brings long-term peace, protects Ukraine’s sovereignty and guarantees that Putin’s Russia never again threatens peace in Europe.

A sham peace – established without consulting the Ukrainians and Europeans – would not get us anywhere. A sham peace would not bring lasting security neither for the people in Ukraine nor for us in Europe or the United States. That is why it is so important for us to engage in intensive dialogue with our American and international partners at the Munich Security Conference.

Only strength will bring peace. For peace, we need robust and long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, we need a strong NATO and progress on Ukraine’s negotiations on accession to the European Union. As Europeans, as Germans, we stand firmly by Ukraine’s side, providing military, humanitarian and financial support. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, we Europeans have provided more than 134 billion euro of support for Ukraine, Germany alone almost 44 billion euro.

Europe is strong. Regardless of all differences, our strength is rooted in our unity. We stand together and resolute as we leave Paris for Munich. As Europeans we are going to shoulder more responsibility for our own security. Given the existential threat we face, we need a huge concerted effort to secure our peace and prosperity. During the COVID pandemic, we saw what Europe can do. We need to invest once more at a level that reflects the historical milestone at which we stand. Not more, but certainly not less.

At this fateful juncture for Europe, it is, above all, our partnerships in the world that will make the difference, partnerships in which I invested so much as Foreign Minister in recent years. Now we need to tap the trust we have built. Endeavours to bring peace to the Middle East and to Europe can reinforce one another if Europeans and the Arab Gulf states engage in joint diplomacy.