His speech before the MEPs was highly anticipated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was greeted in the European Parliament chamber on Thursday by elected officials, who applauded and cheered for nearly a minute. His visit was described as “historic” by the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.
“Thank you very much for your support,” said Volodymyr Zelensky, before listening to the anthems of Ukraine and the European Union (Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”).
After stops in London and Paris the day before, the Ukrainian leader will participate this Thursday in Brussels in a summit of EU heads of state and government. During his speech to the European Parliament, he also thanked his allies for his “unwavering support during this period.”
“I would like to thank them, for helping us defend ourselves and defend them. We are defending ourselves, we are defending them,” he said, before posing with a European Union flag that was handed to him.
“Historic moment”
Earlier, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, described the visit as an extraordinary moment, in extraordinary times”, in a speech that was also peppered with applause from MEPs.
“Now, states must consider, quickly, as a next step, providing the long-range systems and aircraft they need to protect the freedom that too many people take for granted,” the leader said in front of the Ukrainian president.
In a joint statement, the chairmen of the different political groups in the European Parliament called on the Twenty-seven to “increase and speed up their military assistance, provide the necessary military equipment and defense systems, and train the Ukrainian forces.”
Source: BFM TV
