Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received a rapturous reception Thursday in Brussels, as he seeks to push European leaders to speed up the delivery of modern weapons to his country to counter the Russian invasion. And the Ukrainian president called before the European Parliament to provide more military support to Kiev to confront the war.
After two stops Wednesday in London and Paris to ask Britain, France and Germany to provide his country with modern combat aircraft and long-range missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky headed to Brussels on Thursday to address European leaders and representatives of the European Parliament.
Parliament greeted him with cheers and standing ovations as he arrived to call for his country, which he says defends Europe’s eastern borders, to be included in the union.
He addressed the European deputies, saying: “We are defending against the strongest anti-European force in the modern world.. We are defending ourselves, the Ukrainians on the battlefield, on your side.”
For her part, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, confirmed in a speech that reflected the firm positions of other EU officials, and said: “Ukraine is Europe and the future of your country is in the European Union.”
And she added, “Countries should quickly consider, as a next step, providing you with the long-range systems and aircraft that you need to protect the freedom that many have taken for granted.”
And before that, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, wrote in a tweet above a picture of him shaking hands with Zelensky and next to them the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen: “Welcome home, welcome to the European Union.”
Welcome home, welcome to the EU @ZelenskyyUA. pic.twitter.com/0Jww2dDKdI
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) February 9, 2023
After the parliament address, Zelensky joined the leaders of the 27 countries as a special guest at their regular summit, at the invitation of the European Council.
After a standing ovation and the leaders gathered for a group photo, the Ukrainian President stated, “I have to personally thank you for your unwavering support for our country and our aspirations and ambition to live in a united and free Europe.”
At the same time, the leaders warned that Ukraine needs artillery, ammunition, modern armored vehicles, long-range missiles and combat aircraft in a way that exceeds the “aggressor’s speed” in order to prepare for what he said will be a new and dangerous attack. He added, “We are talking about aggression targeting not only Ukraine, but also Europe.”
He also warned the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, that the coming weeks could decide the course of the Russian invasion. “The coming weeks and months are likely to be decisive,” he said. “It’s not the time to be afraid, but to give your full support.”
This, and Zelensky visits Brussels as part of a tour that led him to European capitals, through which he seeks to push European leaders to provide his country with aircraft and long-range weapons to strengthen Kiev’s defenses against the Russian invasion.
This tour is surprising, and it is his second trip abroad since the start of the Russian attack on February 24, 2022, on Ukraine, after a visit to Washington last December.
This stage seems decisive for Ukraine, which is concerned about the recent successes of the Russian army in the Donbass, and fears a major attack in the coming weeks.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and King Charles III received the Ukrainian president on Wednesday in London. He was also received on the same evening by Macron, who invited German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to a late dinner at the Elysee Palace.
In their statements to reporters, Scholz and Macron did not show much enthusiasm about combat aircraft, but they promised to continue supporting Ukraine, including militarily, “as long as necessary” and until “victory”. Macron awarded Zelensky the highest honor a French president could bestow on his counterpart.
Source: France 24
