Zelenski, acclaimed in the European Parliament.
The President of Ukraine delivered a speech to MEPs in Brussels, one year after the Russian invasion of his country.
“Thank you very much for your support,” said Volodimir Zelensky upon his arrival at the European Parliament, before listening to the Ukrainian and EU anthems (Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”) together with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola , before entering the chamber amid an ovation of several minutes.
Volodimir Zelenski, declared before the European Parliament that the defense of the Ukrainian territory against the Russian invasion was also the defense of Europe.
“We are defending ourselves against the most anti-European force in the modern world,” he said. “We defend ourselves, we defend you,” she added, to loud applause from the MEPs.
“This is an extraordinary moment, in extraordinary times,” said the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.
“Now, states must consider, quickly, as a next step, providing the long-range aircraft and systems it needs to protect the freedom that too many people have taken for granted,” she told the Ukrainian president.
“Our response must be proportional to the threat, and the threat is existential (…) We are with you as long as it takes”, stressed Roberta Metsola.
“Ukraine is Europe, the future of your nation is in the EU. We know the sacrifice that your people have endured for Europe, and we must honor it not only with words, but also with deeds,” he insisted. The Twenty-seven have granted kyiv the status of a candidate for EU membership.
“When the world thinks of Ukraine, it thinks of heroes who overcome adversity, of David who defeats Goliath (…) Heroes whose names will be remembered for generations,” added Metsola.
Before, he had greeted on Twitter “a historic day for Europe”, with the intervention of the Ukrainian president “in the house of European democracy”.
In a joint statement, the leaders of the different political groups in the European Parliament called on the Twenty-seven “to increase and speed up their military aid, provide the necessary military equipment and defense systems and train the Ukrainian forces.”
“We reaffirm that Ukraine’s future is in the European Union and we welcome Ukraine’s considerable efforts to achieve its membership goals.”
Zelensky’s European tour
Emmanuel Macron and Volodímir Zelenski flew together this Thursday on an official French plane from the Villacoublay air base, on the outskirts of Paris, bound for Brussels, where both are participating in the summit.
Zelensky slept in Paris where he had arrived on Wednesday from London to meet with the French president and German chancellor Olaf Scholz. He was previously received in London by the British Parliament, and met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, as well as being received in audience by King Carlos III.
Source: Euronews Español
