A significant meeting took place in the German capital, featuring Odessa's Deputy Mayor Pavlo Vugelman and Roman Schwartzman, head of the regional association of Jewish former ghetto prisoners. The main goal of the meeting was to discuss Germany's support for Ukraine.

This event was part of an official visit by the Odessa delegation, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland. It is important to note that only a few witnesses of those horrific events remain.

Roman Markovich Schwartzman, a resident of Odessa who survived the horrors of the ghetto, shared his survival story during World War II, discussing the Soviet government's attitude towards Jews and his life in modern Ukraine.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to share my story and honor the memory of those we lost. Your support for Ukraine and Odessa is very important to me,” said Roman Schwartzman.

During the meeting, participants addressed the current situation in Odessa, issues of memory preservation, and Ukraine's needs, particularly concerning the protection of civilians and infrastructure, as well as the liberation of occupied territories.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier emphasized Germany's support for Ukraine amid this horrific war waged against the Ukrainian nation, noting that democracy needs protection today.