Overview
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accepted the prize on behalf of Ukrainians at an MSC reception hosted by Bavaria’s Markus Söder.
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk delivered the laudation, calling Ukrainians deserving of the free world’s highest respect.
- MSC chair Wolfgang Ischinger said the award honors a years‑long struggle and those killed or injured, noting recent strikes that cut power and heat.
- Zelenskyy thanked European leaders including Germany, Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, yet warned Ukraine receives too few Patriot interceptors that are used immediately on arrival.
- Ukrainian observers said the war drew less focus at this year’s gathering, as Zelenskyy pointed to planned three‑way talks with Russia and the United States in Geneva next week.