Anne Applebaum Urges Continued Military Support for Ukraine in German Peace Prize Acceptance

Prominent American writer and historian Anne Applebaum has called for ongoing military support for Ukraine during her acceptance of the prestigious German Peace Prize of the German Book Trade on Sunday. Applebaum delivered her remarks in Frankfurt, Germany, where she was honored for her significant contributions to the concept of peace through her literary and historical work.

Applebaum’s speech emphasized the importance of continued support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia‘s invasion. She argued that pacifism in the face of aggression can often be equated with appeasement, drawing parallels with Germany’s history under Adolf Hitler. “If there exists even a slight possibility that military defeat could contribute to ending this dreadful cycle of violence in Russia, similar to how military defeat once concluded the violent regime in Germany, we must pursue it,” she stated.

Her husband, Radek Sikorski, the Polish Foreign Minister, was present at the ceremony, reflecting their shared advocacy for Ukraine’s defense. Applebaum’s speech was delivered at St. Paul's Church in Frankfurt, a site recognized as the birthplace of German parliamentary democracy, at the conclusion of the Frankfurt Book Fair.

Applebaum criticized the pacifist stance adopted by many Germans due to their nation’s historical aggression, arguing that this approach could lead to the appeasement of aggressive regimes. “As I accept this peace prize today, it feels appropriate to emphasize that simply expressing ‘I want peace’ is not invariably a moral stance,” she said. Instead, she contended that the true lesson from German history is that Germans have a unique responsibility to advocate for freedom and take the risks associated with it.

The award, valued at 25,000 euros ($27,185), has been presented since 1950 to individuals who have significantly contributed to realizing the concept of peace through literature, science, or art. Last year’s recipient was British-Indian author Salman Rushdie, honored for his resilience in the face of threats and violence.

Applebaum’s strong advocacy for arming Ukraine has drawn some criticism, including from Karin Schmidt-Friderichs of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association. However, her speech received enthusiastic applause from the audience in Frankfurt.

Applebaum is a contributor to The Atlantic magazine and has authored several works on totalitarianism in Eastern Europe, including “The Gulag,” “The Iron Curtain,” and “Red Famine.” Her latest publication is “Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World.” She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2004.