The Munich conference will award Zelensky the von Kleist Prize: what is known about the award and its context

February 14 on Munich Security Conference Vladimir Zelensky plan to present the prize Ewald von Kleist.

The award is given with 2009 and is declared as a mark “for distinguished contributions to international peace and conflict resolution.”

Controversy regularly arises around the award due to historical associations associated with the surname von Kleist. Field Marshal is often mentioned in public discussions Ewald von Kleistcommander of units Wehrmacht during campaigns 1941–1942 and ended his life as war criminal in Vladimir prison.

However, the award is named after another person with the same name. We’re talking about Ewald-Heinrich von Kleistwho is called the namesake and cousin of the field marshal. The text emphasizes that he, being officer Wehrmachtparticipated in siege of Leningradthen tried to participate in the assassination attempt Adolf Hitlerand after the war he became one of the organizers Munich Security Conference.

Who was awarded the award before?

Since the establishment of the prize, among the laureates, as noted, were former secretaries general NATO Jens Stoltenberg And Javier Solanasenator John McCainand also Sweden And Finlandnoted in 2023 in the context of joining NATO. Also among the mentioned laureates is named Kaya Callas as a representative EU on foreign policy.

The symbolism of the award itself is separately emphasized: the laureate medal is said to have the phrase engraved “Peace through dialogue”.

Against this background, the award ceremony Vladimir Zelensky receives additional political and historical context: on the one hand, the award is positioned as a pro world And conflict resolutionon the other hand, the biography of the figure after whom the prize is named inevitably raises sharp associations and questions about the symbolism of the moment.

Source link