Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj Visits Berlin Amid Security Conference and Local Security Concerns

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj visited Berlin on November 3, 2026, to attend the Berlin Security Conference, an event spotlighting ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Ukraine. His presence underscored the international focus on security challenges, including those posed by Russia's actions in Ukraine.

During the same period, Berlin faced its own complex security and political issues. CDU leader Friedrich Merz voiced concerns about potential expropriations in Berlin, highlighting fears surrounding property rights amid the city's ongoing coalition negotiations between the Left, Greens, and SPD. These talks are stirring discussions at the federal level about Berlin’s political future.

Infrastructure frustrations continued as the approval for the A111 highway’s completion was delayed until spring 2027 because of unfinished guardrail installations, impacting commuter safety and traffic flow. Additionally, Berlin is grappling with a severe domestic violence crisis, with reports showing an average of one death every two weeks due to domestic violence, calling for heightened safety measures across the city.

Meanwhile, broader German resilience initiatives were underway in Düsseldorf, where a resilience summit addressing hybrid security threats such as cyberattacks and energy supply disruptions took place. Co-hosted by NRW Minister-President Hendrik Wüst and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, the summit drew around 150 high-ranking attendees, including representatives from Ukraine. Nathanael Liminski, NRW Minister for European Affairs, emphasized the importance of learning from Eastern European partners like Ukraine, whose experience with infrastructure damage and power outages from Russian attacks serves as a critical example for German resilience efforts.

The convergence of these events reflects both the international and local dimensions of security challenges Germany faces: from supporting Ukraine amid conflict to confronting immediate urban safety and political stability in Berlin. As Selenskyj’s visit wraps up, the spotlight remains on Germany’s role in European security and its internal political and social resilience.