In a speech to the European Parliament, Ukraine’s president asks the bloc to accept Kiev’s immediate entry into the European Union. Ukrainians in the face of the extensive military offensive launched by Russia against their country. The appeal came a day after Kiev signed an official application to join the bloc.
In a speech by videoconference during an extraordinary session of the European Parliament, Zelenski reinforced the request for the EU to accept the country’s immediate accession to the bloc and asked for the entry as a kind of “proof” to demonstrate that Ukrainians are not alone in the fight against the russians.
“Europe will be much stronger with Ukraine. Without you, Ukraine will be alone. we proved our strength […], then prove that you are with us, prove that you are not going to leave us, prove that you are indeed Europeans, and then life will overcome death, and light will overcome darkness,” Zelensky said. Ukraine, according to him, has already proved its strength and that “it is exactly the same” as the European Union.
“Price Payable”
The president highlighted his joy at seeing “all EU countries united” in the face of a European perspective for Ukraine in the future, although he regretted that the price to pay for this consensus was “thousands of dead, two revolutions, a war.” and five days of full-scale invasion of Russia”.
“We are giving our lives for some values, for the freedom you have. We are putting our best, strongest and most valuable citizens at this crossroads. Ukrainians need to feel proud. Today, not only have you been talking about this pride, but you are also seeing it,” said Zelenski.
He also criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for continuing to cite an operation against military infrastructure “when children are dying”. He mourned the death of 16 minors on Monday and dozens more in the missile attacks this morning in the eastern city of Kharkiv.
“It is the city with the most universities in our country. In that place, the youth is bright and intelligent. This morning, two missiles hit Praça da Liberdade, and dozens of people died. This is the price to pay for freedom, for our land,” he added.
“Fight for Survival”
Zelensky also stated that, at this moment, its citizens are driven not only by the “struggle for survival”, but also by the struggle “to be full members of Europe”. He said he’s convinced the world is being shown exactly “who the Ukrainians are and what Ukraine is.”
At the end of his speech, Zelensky received a standing ovation. Part of the MEPs wore T-shirts with words like “Support Ukraine” and the country’s flag. Others wore brooches or ornaments with the colors of the Ukrainian flag. The plenary of the European Parliament also received the Ukrainian ambassador to the EU and a group of Ukrainian citizens.
fc/cn (efe, rtr, afp, dpa)
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