CNN
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a heartfelt enchantment to lawmakers in Brussels on Thursday to permit his nation to change into a part of the European Union, insisting that Europe is Ukraine’s “dwelling.”
Throughout an handle to the European Parliament, Zelensky mentioned his nation and the EU share the identical values, and that the “European normal of life” and the “European guidelines of life” are “when the legislation guidelines.”
“That is our Europe, these are our guidelines, that is our lifestyle. And for Ukraine, it’s a manner dwelling, a technique to its dwelling,” Zelensky mentioned, referencing Ukraine’s intention to affix the European Union.
“I’m right here with a purpose to defend our folks’s manner dwelling,” he added.
Zelensky’s emotional message was designed to attempt to join with EU parliamentarians as he continues to push for Ukraine to join the bloc.
He underlined that Ukraine shares values with Europe, slightly than with Russia, which he mentioned is making an attempt to take his nation again in time.
The president warned European lawmakers that Russia desires to return Europe to the xenophobia of the Thirties and Forties. “The reply for us to that’s no,” he mentioned. “We’re defending ourselves. We should defend ourselves.”
Zelensky additionally thanked all nations which have offered weapons and navy help to Ukraine.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola launched Zelensky forward of his handle, telling him: “Ukraine is Europe and your nation’s future is within the European Union.
“Now we have your again. Freedom will prevail.”
Zelensky made a “secret” journey to Brussels on Thursday, a day after he made a shock go to to London and Paris as a part of an unannounced diplomatic tour of European capitals geared toward persuading the West to ship extra weapons and navy help to counter an anticipated Russian spring offensive.
Zelensky’s renewed enchantment to affix the EU comes after Ukraine formally turned an EU candidate state final 12 months. It’s nonetheless more likely to be years earlier than Kyiv can begin any accession talks to affix the bloc.
Throughout his journey to Brussels, Zelensky was anticipated to resume his pleas to European leaders to supply Ukraine with Typhoon and F-16 fighter jets.
On Wednesday night, the Ukrainian chief was hosted in Paris by French President Emmanuel Macron alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Macron awarded the visiting Ukrainian president with France’s highest order of benefit, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor.
Earlier, Macron instructed Zelensky that France is “decided” to help Ukraine in its warfare in opposition to Russia. “We stand by Ukraine, decided to assist it to victory,” Macron mentioned. “Ukraine can rely on France and its allies to win the warfare, Russia shouldn’t and won’t win the warfare.”
European leaders have been clear of their help for defending Ukraine within the face of Russian aggression, with a number of nations together with Germany, Poland and the Netherlands lately giving the inexperienced mild to supply Kyiv with heavy battle tanks.
Scholz final June insisted that Ukraine “belongs to the European household.”
“My colleagues and I’ve come right here to Kyiv at this time with a transparent message: Ukraine belongs to the European household,” Scholz mentioned throughout a joint information convention in Kyiv with Zelensky.
Earlier Wednesday, Zelensky addressed the UK parliament throughout a shock go to to London, thanking Britain on behalf of his nation’s “warfare heroes.”
Zelensky expressed gratitude to British parliamentarians for supporting Ukraine throughout his speech in Westminster Corridor. “Girls and gents, I thanks on your bravery,” he mentioned. “Thanks very a lot. From all of us.
“London has stood with Kyiv since day one,” he instructed lawmakers. “Because the first seconds and minutes of the full-scale warfare. Nice Britain, you prolonged your serving to hand when the World had not but come to know the right way to react.
He added: “We all know Russia will lose. We all know victory will change the world, and this shall be a change the World wanted. The UK is marching with us in direction of an important victory of our lifetime. The victory over the very concept of warfare.
“After we win, any aggressor, it doesn’t matter, huge or small, will know what awaits him if he assaults worldwide order.”
Originally published at www.theshocknews.com