"[Illegitimate president of the Russian Federation Vladimir] Putin is trying to destroy us as a nation. Just as [Nazi Germany leader Adolf] Hitler sought to annihilate the Jewish people during World War II. Back then, Hitler wanted to kill me because I am Jewish. Now, Putin is trying to kill me because I am Ukrainian," said Shvarzman.
He shared that on December 29, 2023, a Russian missile struck his home in Odessa. When he and his wife emerged from the basement to their apartment on the 10th floor, "they didn't recognize it – everything was shattered," because his hometown of Odessa "is suffering from Russian terrorism."
"I see destruction and suffering once again, I see the faces of Ukrainian defenders returning from Russian captivity. The stories from the dungeons of the Russian occupiers evoke phantom pain in me. Today we must make every effort. I have been in the ghetto, I have seen the devil, and I say: we greatly overestimate him. His power is no greater than what we give him," stated the Ukrainian.
He emphasized that "the world must stop being afraid."
"Ukraine will do everything to ensure that the war does not come to you," said the 89-year-old Shvarzman.
During his speech in the Bundestag, Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Oleksii Makeiev and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier were among those present.
After Shvarzman's speech, Steinmeier embraced him.