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King Charles Condemns Russia in Speech to German Lawmakers

  • Visit seen as diplomatic test in rebuilding UK’s European ties
  • Monarch pokes gentle fun at Germans with jokes about soccer
King Charles III speaks in the Bundestag on March 30.
King Charles III speaks in the Bundestag on March 30.Photographer: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
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King Charles III waded into European politics, praising Germany’s decision to reverse decades of defense policy by supplying Ukraine with arms and condemning Russia’s invasion.

“Germany’s decision to send such significant military support to Ukraine is remarkably courageous, important and appreciated,” Charles said in a speech to the lower house of parliament in Berlin. Speaking to Bundestag lawmakers in German during his first state visit as monarch, he said Russia’s “unprovoked” attack had “inflicted the most unimaginable suffering on many innocent people.”