united for humanity

Can we look towards 2023 with optimism? A devastating war rages on the European continent. Russia’s war of aggression opened a devastating wound far beyond Europe, exacerbating the food and energy crisis in large parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. More than 800 million men, women and children go to bed hungry every night. The climate emergency deepens this pain, sparks conflict in the world and robs people of their land, their homes and their security.

How can we be optimistic in these dire times of uncertainty? I firmly believe that, as responsible world leaders, we have no choice but to enter the new year with a strong sense of confidence that we can drive change to improve people’s lives. Not despite this “perfect storm” of crisis, but because of it.

Nelson Mandela once described moments when his faith in humanity was tested, but still he did not give up in despair. “Part of being optimistic is keeping your face to the sun and your feet moving,” he said.

This is exactly how we responded to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: united, in Europe, across the Atlantic and in the world in clear defiance of the inhumanity of war, with our support for Ukraine, with sanctions targeting the Russian war machine and with investments for our security.

In discussions about the Russian war with many of these partners I was often told the following: “They want us to come with them now that there is a war in Europe, but where have they been in the last few years while we were living in conflict?”

I understand those concerns. And I truly believe that we should be willing to critically question our actions and the way we have engaged with the world in the past. We should also listen carefully when our partners tell us how difficult it is for them to reduce their dependence on Russia, be it in military, political or economic terms. It is a gigantic challenge. In Germany we see that the cost of overcoming our dependency affects the pocket of our citizens. Many of our partners are hit harder by these restrictions, and for them it is directly impossible to implement protection shields that cost billions of euros.

Our clear message is that we are not turning our backs on the world because there is war raging in our neighborhood. On the contrary, we see this war fueling suffering around the world, as Russia limited access to Ukrainian grain exports and spread lies about who is responsible for the shortages.

“Women are the first victims of war, but only they have the answer for peace,” is how the Congolese human rights activist Julienne Lusenge described it.

“If women aren’t safe, no one is,” some brave Ukrainian women told me.

If I must take strength for the year 2023, I take it from brave women like them, be they from the Congo, Iran, Afghanistan or the Ukraine.

His song is our anthem. Your courage is our yardstick. Their cause is our call, not just to maintain trust, but to act boldly, united for humanity.

In Iran, the women’s slogan is “women, life, freedom”. His song resonates throughout the world and is a hymn to courage.

*The author is Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany.