"Ukraine is going to be a member of the European Union - the European Union that is winning," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an address to the European Parliament. Zelenskky, on Wednesday, made surprise visits to the UK and France. He met with Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron and sought more weaponry from the countries that have been supporting Ukraine since it was invaded by Russia in February last year.
Ukraine and the EU have made their strength "obvious" with their "principled and energetic approach - we are all equal," he said. He urged the EU to stay the course in its support of Ukraine.
Before Zelenskyy spoke, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said allies should consider quickly, as a next step, providing long-range systems and fighter jets to Ukraine. Metsola said the response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine must be proportional to the threat, and the threat is existential."
He opened his speech by saying "Slava Ukraini!" or "Glory to Ukraine!”, which got him a standing ovation.
Zelenskyy's high-profile pursuit of more Western military aid came as evidence mounted that Russia's anticipated offensive around the anniversary of the invasion is starting to take shape. Zelenskyy, in his speech, went on to thank the EU for standing with ordinary Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression. He also thanked the EU for the vital support it provided in form of weapons, fuel, energy equipment and other supplies.
"It's important not only for the states of Europe, not only for the communities and societies of Europe," he said. "No matter who we are... we always fight against disrespect." "The precondition of (our dreams for our children and grandchildren) is peace and security."
Neither will be guaranteed if "we do not overcome the anti-European force that is trying to steal from all of us our Europe", Zelenskyy added.
He went on to say that Russia is not only attacking Ukraine but the European way of life.
"All of us enjoy this common European history," he says, adding that Putin is trying to "annihilate" European values through "total war".
"We will not allow that," he says, adding that Putin is "a dictator" using Soviet Weapons and from "dictatorial regimes" to achieve his aim.
At the end of his speech, he was presented with the EU flag.
--With PTI inputs