Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acquired a prolonged standing ovation earlier than and after delivering an impassioned speech to the European Parliament.
Zelensky urged the European Union throughout an emergency session of the EU Parliament to "show that you're with us" as Russia continues its assault in opposition to Ukraine.
It got here a day after Zelensky formally requested the EU to "urgently admit Ukraine" to the bloc.
In his speech, delivered through video hyperlink, Zelensky mentioned Ukraine is "preventing to be equal members of Europe"
He opened his handle by saying he was happy to see the show of unity after lawmakers, many carrying #standwithUkraine T-shirts with the Ukrainian flag, gave him a standing ovation.
The elected representatives of 27 EU nations applaud Zelensky (video hyperlink)
— Alex Taylor (@AlexTaylorNews) March 1, 2022
I reported from this place for 30 years and by no means noticed it converse with one, very loud voice like this earlier than. Putin has completed what nobody else achieved - introduced the entire of our continent collectively, united pic.twitter.com/01X4xCBExs
I'm "extraordinarily proud of what I've seen right here and I'm joyful that we've got united all of you, however I did not need this unity at this value," he mentioned. "1000's of individuals killed, two revolutions, one conflict, and 5 days of full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation."
Talking in Ukrainian that was translated into English by an interpreter who grew to become emotional at occasions, Zelensky mentioned Ukrainians are "preventing for our freedom, for our rights and for our survival."
He went on to say that a number of missiles had struck Freedom Sq. in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest metropolis with a inhabitants of about 1.5 million.
"At the least two cruise missiles have hit the primary sq. of that metropolis. That's the value of freedom," he mentioned. "We're preventing only for our land and for our freedom."
Zelensky added: "Each sq. in our nation will probably be referred to as Freedom Sq.. No person will break us, we're sturdy, we're Ukrainians."
He additionally once more condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin, and what he referred to as Russia's false declare that civilian infrastructure and residential areas weren't being focused.
"Yesterday, 16 kids have been killed," Zelensky mentioned. "Many times, President Putin goes to say that's some sort of operation."
He ended his speech by calling on the EU to welcome Ukraine into its ranks.
"We're preventing for our freedom, for our rights and for our survival," he mentioned. "However we're additionally preventing additionally to be equal members of Europe.... the European Union goes to be a lot stronger with us, that is for positive.
"Do show that you're with us. Do show that you'll not allow us to go. Do show that you just certainly are Europeans, after which life will conquer loss of life, and light-weight will win over darkness. Glory be to Ukraine."
"We welcome Mr. President, Ukraine's software for candidate standing, and we are going to work in direction of that purpose as a result of we are going to and we should face the longer term collectively," Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, mentioned throughout Tuesday's session.
However Ukraine will probably be conscious that the membership course of will probably be prolonged.
Charles Michel, the chairman of EU leaders, instructed the European Parliament after Zelensky's speech that the bloc must significantly take a look at Ukraine's "reliable" request to hitch.
"It will be tough, we all know there are totally different views in Europe," he added.
Replace 3/01/22, 6:30 a.m. ET: This text has been up to date with further data.
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