Zelenski’s dramatic message to the EU: ‘Prove that you are on our side’

LAST UPDATE: 15.45

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the European Union – through its long-distance intervention in the European Parliament – to show its support for Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion, a day after Ukraine formally requested to join the bloc.

“The European Union will be much stronger with us, that’s for sure. Without you, Ukraine will be alone,” Zelensky told the European Parliament.

“Prove that you are on our side. Prove that you will not leave us alone. Prove that you are truly European and then life will overcome death and light will overcome darkness. Glory to Ukraine,” he continued.

The Ukrainian president said: “We are fighting for our land and our freedom” and expressed his belief that “we will win, we will succeed”, adding that “what is happening in Ukraine is a tragedy.”

As he said, “no one will bend us, we are tough, we are Ukrainians” and noted that “we are fighting to be equal members of Europe”.

Referring to the bombing of Kharkov, he noted that in the morning two cruise missiles hit the second largest city in the country.

“I do not read from papers,” said Mr. Zelensky. “The papers are over, we are facing real life.”

It is noted that the members of the EP extended applause to both the President of Ukraine and the representatives of the country who were in the parliament, while even the interpreter who translated into English Volodymyr Zelensky was visibly charged.

“Nobody will break us, because we are Ukrainians”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tells the European Parliament: “We are fighting for our rights, for our freedom, for our lives, and now we are fighting for our survival” https://t.co/CnAsVRPl7z pic.twitter.com/QkSOZWaDDK

– BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 1, 2022

R. Metsola: We welcome Ukraine’s request for EU membership

“We are here today in the heavy shadow of the war that the Russian president’s unprovoked start in Ukraine,” said European Parliament President Roberta Metzola.

“On behalf of the European Parliament, I condemn the Russian invasion and express our solidarity with the Ukrainian people and our condolences to those killed,” Metsola said. to welcome Ukraine’s request for EU membership and to emphasize that “we will work towards achieving the goal of satisfying the request of Ukraine and President Zelensky”.

“The message to Ukraine is clear. We will support the prosecution of war crimes in Ukraine and Putin himself and Belarussian President Lukashenko,” Metsola said.

Von der Leyen: The EU and Ukraine are closer than ever

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, spoke of “a conflict between the rule of law and the rule of arms, between democracies and totalitarian regimes, between a rule-based order and a world of shameless aggression”. “The war is back in Europe.”

Speaking at the European Parliament’s plenary session in Brussels, he noted that “men, women and children are dying because a foreign leader has decided that their country, Ukraine, has no right to exist.”

Ursula von der Leyen stressed that “a Union of almost half a billion people has mobilized for Ukraine. The people of Europe are protesting in front of Russian embassies throughout our Union.

S. Michel: “Geopolitical terrorism” the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Russian invasion of Ukraine is “geopolitical terrorism”said today the President of the Council of the EU, Charles Michel, in his speech to the Plenary Session of the European Parliament.

Charles Michel said it was not just an attack on Ukraine, but an attack on international law, international law, democracy and human dignity. “Five days ago, Putin launched a massive invasion of Ukraine, an unwarranted war without any provocation, based on horrific lies,” Michel said. “The EU must support Ukraine and protect peace and democracy,” he said.