Zelenskyy obtained standing ovations earlier than, throughout and after his speech to European lawmakers on Thursday.
He held up an EU flag after his handle and all the legislature stood in somber silence because the Ukrainian nationwide anthem after which European anthem Ode to Pleasure have been performed.
“Europe will always be, and remain Europe as long as we are together and as long as we take care of our Europe, as we take care of the European way of life,” he mentioned.
Zelenskyy added that Russia desires to destroy the European lifestyle, however “we will not allow that”.
Earlier than Zelenskyy spoke, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola mentioned allies ought to take into account “quickly, as a next step, providing long range systems” and fighter jets to Ukraine.
Metsola mentioned the response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warfare in opposition to Ukraine “must be proportional to the threat, and the threat is existential”.
Zelenskyy’s high-profile pursuit of extra Western navy help got here as proof mounted that Russia’s anticipated offensive across the anniversary of the invasion is beginning to take form.
The Kremlin’s forces “have regained the initiative in Ukraine and have begun their next major offensive” within the jap Luhansk area, most of which is occupied by Russia, the Institute for the Examine of Conflict, mentioned in its newest evaluation.
“Russian sources are widely reporting that conventional Russian troops are attacking Ukrainian defensive lines and making marginal advances,” the US-based assume tank mentioned, including its “success is not inherent or predetermined”.
Zelenskyy is wrapping up a whirlwind tour of his main European backers, already heading dwelling with heaps of goodwill, guarantees of extra navy help and, as {hardware} goes, France’s highest medal of honour.
The EU’s 27 leaders have been hoping to impress on the president that the highly effective bloc is steadfast in its assist of embattled Ukraine as Russia is feared to be making strikes for a brand new offensive across the February 24 one-year anniversary of the warfare.
Flying in from Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron, who honoured him with the Grand Cross of France’s Legion of Honour, Zelenskyy was stepped up from a half-dozen video addresses to the EU leaders over the previous 12 months to make use of his spectacular aura and oratory abilities in particular person to ensure that nothing stalls in Europe’s unwavering backing.
“The European Union will stand by Ukraine with steadfast support for as long as it takes,” mentioned the most recent draft of the summit conclusions seen by The Related Press.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz mentioned the bloc would ship Zelenskyy “this signal of unity and solidarity, and can show that we will continue our support for Ukraine in defending its independence and integrity for as long as this is necessary”.
The bloc and its member states have already backed Kyiv with some €50 billion ($77.2 billion) in help, offered navy {hardware} and imposed 9 packages of sanctions on the Kremlin.
The EU is within the midst of brokering a brand new sanctions package deal price some €10 billion and there may be nonetheless loads of scope for exporting extra navy {hardware} to Ukraine as a Russian spring offensive is predicted.
One subject that was not on the agenda in Britain however will probably be in Brussels is Ukraine’s want to change into a member of the European Union as quickly as attainable.
A high-profile go to to EU headquarters can solely add to the goodwill to assist his nation on to the street of accession talks. Ukraine is speaking about becoming a member of the EU in a matter of years, whereas apply has proven it may take many years earlier than aspiring members are thought-about match to affix.
Zelenskyy effectively is aware of that the EU typically strikes at a snail’s tempo whereas he himself needed to be lightning quick to stave off an early Russian victory and arrange a protection of his huge nation that only a few would have deemed attainable a 12 months in the past.
Now, after preliminary hesitation, EU nations have lastly began to step up their navy contributions as effectively.
Aussie troopers educating ‘citizen military’ in battle in opposition to Russia
Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands introduced Tuesday that they plan to supply Ukraine with at the very least 100 refurbished German-made Leopard 1 battle tanks within the coming months. The announcement adopted Germany agreeing final month to permit deliveries of the extra fashionable Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
Past EU high officers like summit host Charles Michel and Fee President Ursula von der Leyen, Zelenskyy ought to make time for bilateral conferences with leaders to press for extra {hardware}, starting from ammunition to warplanes — one thing the bloc as an entire doesn’t possess however particular person nations do.
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