Transcript of Pelosi Opening Remarks at Bilateral Meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock of Germany

Berlin – Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined Minister of Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock of Germany for a bilateral meeting. Below are the Speaker's opening remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. Thank you very much, Madam Minister. It is an honor to be here with you. You should know that when the Prime Minister came to see us in January, early January this year, it really was like a breath of fresh air. Germany's new, young leader, coming in with her strong, green credentials, to save the planet for future generations and for the here and now. And, again, little did we know what was coming, with respect.Butthen we saw again in Munich, when the President of Ukraine came with his [inaudible]and seeing you again with all the hope and optimism, and then in March, with the reality of what was happening, it was a comfort to knowthat you're in the position that you are in.

For me, to see a young woman in this position of power, who knows why she's here, who has credentials that are so strong in saving the planet, which is a health issue, clean air, clean water, it's a jobs issue in terms of technology and clean energy as we go forward. It's a defense andsecurity issuein termsof conflict over habitat and the sources and the rest can be avoided if we address the climate issue properly. And it's a values issue, to pass on the planet to future generations in a responsible way. And actually to address that responsibility in the here and now.

It turns out to be a strategic issue when we talk about Ukraine. Because of your leadership and the Chancellor's leadership, Germany has just said, ‘We're doing the right thing. And we're going to reduce our dependence on Russian energy supplies and the rest and find a different path.' Which I think came as a surprise to Putin, although I don't know what comes as a surprise to Putin.

So thank you for that, because that made all the difference in the world. Germany's leadership in that regard made all the leadership in the world – and your participation in that leadership has been very clear.

So, thank you for the opportunity to visit with you. Yes, we're here, as a guest of the President of the German Bundestag, who has conducted a very focused meeting on Ukraine, where the Speakers and Presidents of the parliaments from the G7 and the EU. We had a special guest, Speaker Stefanchuk, and that was quite remarkable to hear first-hand and currently, what is happening in Ukraine.

But we see all the members all the time talking all the time talking about civic education to promote democracy. But, those two issues were very real. People in Ukraine are fighting for their democracy, but in doing so, they're fighting for democracy writ large, because the assault on their democracy is something that will have aterrible effect.

But we're going to win.And that's what this meeting was about. And central to it is the importance of weapons. As important as weaponry is to address the energy situation in all of the countries, but especially in Germany, and the difference it makes to Putin.

So, we look forward to our – having our discussion. This evening, taking great pride in your leadership, as I have watched your career, as short as it is, but as high as you have reached.

I too want to acknowledge our Ambassador, she is our Ambassador,as I said to the Chancellorearlier today, for Germany, we want to send you our very best. And we did. We're very proud of our Ambassador. Thank you so much.

Ambassador Gutmann. I am very proud to be with three – among three women, and two I admire so much.

Speaker Pelosi. And weadmire you. But thank you so much again.