Perhaps more than any other place, Berlin embodies Europe’s journey from division and war to peace and unity. The city was devastated by fighting in 1945. It was divided by the Iron Curtain until 1989. But now we see a vibrant city, attracting people from all over Europe, living in peace. So it comes as a profound shock to be confronted with a new war in Europe, less than 800 kilometres to the east of here. The scenes of dying soldiers and civilians are horrifying. Millions of people have been displaced, many of them coming to Germany, to Berlin. This tragedy is a watershed for Europe and it calls on all of us to ... (full story)