Zelenskyj in EU Parliament: “The European Union will be much stronger with us”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke in front of the European Parliament on Tuesday afternoon. Yesterday, Monday, in the embattled capital of Kyiv,
He signed an application for Ukraine to join the EU. In his video link, the head of government of the country attacked by Putin’s Russia says: “Every day is not a good day for many people. It is the last day for many people in Ukraine.”
Today he wants to speak to the EU about the heroes of his country, the citizens of Ukraine. “I feel that we are united.” One stands there united. “You often hear in the country that we will all win together.” He himself is convinced of that.
“There is a European choice for Ukraine,” and that’s what Ukraine is working towards. Zelenskj wants to hear from the EU Parliament “that this is a mutual choice”.
Despite the fact that all cities in his country are subject to a blockade, the population wants to continue fighting. Selenskj addresses the civilian victims and points out the death of 16 children yesterday. “Fighting for our lives is the greatest motivation we have.”
“We are Europeans, we are the European Union.” It has been proven long enough that the Ukrainians are Europeans. Now we need a sign from Brussels that Ukraine can be a full member of the EU. “The European Union will be much stronger with us.”
At a special session in Brussels from noon onwards, MEPs discussed a resolution strongly condemning the Russian attack on Ukraine and supporting the West’s agreed sanctions against Russia. The draft also advocates EU accession prospects for Ukraine.
However, the wording is cautious: the EU institutions are asked to “work towards the country being granted the status of an EU candidate country”. Until then, efforts should be made to integrate Ukraine more closely into the EU internal market, according to the draft resolution.
