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In a videoconference before the European Council, the Ukrainian president urged Europe not to abandon his country. Brussels replied that it will take “its responsibilities”.
Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech aroused emotion, ovation and loud applause from MEPs.
AFP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is calling for his country’s “immediate” integration into the European Union following the Russian invasion, asked Europeans on Tuesday to “prove that they are with Ukraine “.
“Europe will be much stronger with Ukraine in it. Without you, Ukraine will be alone, ”he said in a videoconference speech to MEPs, gathered in Brussels in an extraordinary session, arousing a standing ovation and applause in the hemicycle. “We are fighting for our survival, but we are also fighting to be equal members of Europe. So prove that you are with us, prove to us that you are not abandoning us, and that you are really Europeans!”
“We will take our responsibilities”, answered him, a few moments later, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
“For our rights, our freedoms, our lives”
“We will win, I’m sure. The European choice of Ukraine is the path on which we are embarking today. And I would like to hear from you today that Europe chooses Ukraine”, Volodymyr Zelensky further launched to MEPs.
“We are fighting for our rights, for our freedoms, for our lives, for our survival. No one is going to break us. We are strong, we are Ukrainians,” he added, appearing on screen wearing dark colored clothes.
(AFP)