Ukraine: EU will be stronger with us - Zelensky addresses European Parliament

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Mandatory credit: Zelenskiy / Official

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the European Parliament via video link from Kiev on Tuesday, urging members to support the country’s accession to the EU.

SOT, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President (Ukrainian): “Dear attendees. In recent days, I don’t know how to say hello because I can’t say “good morning “, “good afternoon” or “good evening”. I can’t, because every day is definitely not “good” for someone. Every day, this evening is the last for someone. I’m talking today and now about my citizens, citizens of Ukraine who are defending their dignity and freedom at the cost of their lives. I’m very glad of what I have just seen here and what I have heard - I am glad of this mood. Unifying mood. I am happy that we have united all of you, the countries of the European Union. But I did not know it would cost so much. And it is a tragedy for me, a tragedy for every Ukrainian, a tragedy for our country - such a high price. A very high price. Thousands of victims. Two revolutions. One war. And five days of full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation. I did not read the text on a piece of paper today, because I am out of paper in the life of my state. All this is reality. All these dead people.

All this is real life. And you know, I believe that we are giving today for values, for rights, for freedom, just for the will to be equal, just like you, like every human being - we are giving our best people. The strongest and the most powerful Ukrainians. Exceptional! We very often like to say that we will beat everyone. And I am glad that now you see it, not only talk about it. And we will surely beat everyone, I am sure of it. There is such a phrase as ‘Europe’s choice of Ukraine’ - this is what we were striving for, what we were going for and still are. I would very much like to hear you there today, from you to us, ‘Europe’s choice of Ukraine.’ I only have a few minutes to speak to you, because we have such short breaks because of the constant shelling and rocket attacks. This morning was tragic for all of us. Two cruise missiles [struck] Kharkiv. A city near the border with the Russian Federation. There were always a lot of Russians there and they were always friends, there were very warm relations. There are more than 20 universities, it is the city with the largest number of universities in our country. Young people are bright, intelligent and they always gather on the biggest square of our country - Freedom Square - for all the festivities.

And it’s the biggest square in Europe - it’s true - this Freedom Square. Imagine this: two cruise missiles - into Freedom Square in the morning! Dozens of victims. That is the price of freedom. We are fighting directly for our land and for our freedom. And believe me, despite the fact that every major city of our state is now blockaded, no one will enter our freedom and state. Believe me, from now on every square, no matter what it is called, will be called Freedom Square. In every city of our state. No one will break us. We are strong, we are Ukrainians. We, you know, have a desire for our children to live. It seems to me that it is fair. Yesterday 16 children died. And again President Putin will say that this is some kind of operation and “we are hitting military infrastructure”. Where are our children? What military factories are they working in, what missiles are they on? Maybe they are riding in tanks? You have killed 16 children! Respected people here, we have very motivated people, very motivated. We are fighting for our rights, freedom, and life. And now we are fighting for survival. And that is our most important motivation. But we are fighting to be equal members of Europe. And I think that today we show everyone that we are. With us the European Union will be stronger. Without you, Ukraine will be lonely. We proved our strength, we proved that we are like you. Prove that you are with us. Prove that you don’t leave us. Prove that you are truly Europeans. And then life will conquer death and peace will conquer darkness. Glory to Ukraine!”.

Video ID: 20220301-044
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