Category
Latest news

“Hitler Tried to Kill Me for Being Jewish. Now Putin Wants Me Dead for Being Ukrainian,” Says Holocaust Survivor

2 min read
Authors
“Hitler Tried to Kill Me for Being Jewish. Now Putin Wants Me Dead for Being Ukrainian,” Says Holocaust Survivor
88-year-old Ukrainian Holocaust survivor Roman Schwarzman during his speech before the German Bundestag. (Source: DW)

88-year-old Ukrainian Holocaust survivor and head of the Odesa Regional Association of Jews, Roman Schwarzman, delivered a speech before the German Bundestag, drawing parallels between Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and the atrocities committed by the Nazis during World War II, according to DW on January 29.

“Back then, Hitler tried to kill me because I was Jewish. Now, Putin is trying to kill me because I am Ukrainian,” Schwarzman declared.

He also spoke about his fears for future generations, emphasizing that he once escaped destruction but now worries that his children and grandchildren could become victims of war.

“Ukraine must not be brought to its knees by the Russian state. Those who believe that Putin will be satisfied with Ukraine are deceiving themselves… The world must stop being afraid—Ukraine will do everything to ensure that war does not come to you,” Schwarzman said.

Schwarzman shared a personal account of the war’s impact, revealing that on December 29, 2024, a Russian missile struck his home in Odesa, destroying the apartment he shared with his wife.

“By miracle, we survived in the basement with my wife,” Schwarzman stated.

He called on Germany to increase military assistance, particularly by providing air defense systems, fighter jets, and long-range missiles, which he believes are crucial to Ukraine’s defense.

“I call on you—arm us, so that Putin will end this war of destruction,” Schwarzman pleaded.

Schwarzman’s speech was met with a standing ovation from Bundestag members.

On January 27, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Poland to attend events marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, one of the largest Nazi death camps.

See all