The European Parliament greeted Zelensky with a standing ovation as he portrayed Ukraine as the country fighting to defend Europe’s eastern borders and urged a rapid welcome into the EU fold.
Prior to his speech, Parliamentary speaker Roberta Metsola promised the Ukrainian president the absolute support of the European Union: political, financial, humanitarian and military. Addressing the parliament, Metsola declared: “Ukraine is Europe and your nation’s future is in the European Union.
This position formed a common thread through Zelensky’s speech, where he referred to the “European way of life” on multiple occasions.
Zelensky expressed hopes of victory, later reflected in statements made by Luxembourg’s MEPs.
The CSV’s Christophe Hansen told RTL:
“We have awaited this speech with great excitement. This is a diplomatic tour de force by the Ukrainian president in order to maintain our solidarity. It has really hit hard, they need us and they are thankful for our support so far. But we are far from finished with our support. I think it also came across well that Ukraine is now an official candidate for EU membership. We could go a step further and give Ukraine observer status, which would allow their MPs to listen in on European parliamentary sessions.”
Zelensky’s appearance at the summit was of great symbolic importance, but the conflict is far from over, he warned. The European Parliament is dedicated to supplying further weapons to Ukraine, in what is now a crucial moment before a major Russian offensive takes shape.
The DP’s Charles Goerens highlighted that Ukraine has not yet won the battle:
“We must not underestimate that Russia is unlikely to be able to mobilise more materials. Ukraine has good intentions, but they must be able to count on us to stand at their side at the right time.”
Goerens went on to appeal to the heads of state and government to coordinate their responses and speak with a single voice, rather than discussing weapons deliveries on an individual basis. The MEP warned this process was taking too long.
Zelensky later went on to meet the 27 leaders of EU member states, including Luxembourg’s Xavier Bettel, who wrote on Instagram that “the European Union will continue to support Ukraine and its people in solidarity and friendship.”
