Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had been asking to be able to apply for EU membership as a further way of solidifying Ukraine’s connection to the West (and giving the other EU nations more reason to support his country). The effort had been stalled in the past, but now he’s asking for fast-track membership, given the circumstances of being under attack from Russia.
Zelensky was virtually present before the European Parliament in order to inform them about the Russian attack against his country. His remarks made it so difficult for the translator to understand his words. He said they weren’t going to be broken, despite severe attacks on Freedom Square in Kharkiv.
Washington Examiner
“This morning, two cruise missiles hit Freedom Square, dozens killed,” Zelensky explained, referencing the eighth-largest city center square in Europe, which is located in Kharkiv. “This is the price of freedom. We’re fighting for our land and for our freedom.” The translator’s voice can be heard cracking from emotion.
“Every square today, no matter what it’s called, is going to be called Freedom Square, in every city of our country. We are strong and no one can break us. We are strong. We are Ukrainians,” Zelensky continued, emphasizing that Ukrainians “have a desire to see our children alive. I think it’s a fair one.”
“We are fighting for our freedom, for our rights and for our survival. Equal members of Europe, we fight for our freedom. The EU is stronger when we are there. We need you to prove your solidarity with us. Then life will conquer death,” Zelensky concluded
After Zelensky’s speech, the Parliament gave him a standing ovation.
❗️Volodymyr Zelensky gave a conference speech today at the European Parliament. Following his address in the #EuropeanEverybody stood up to give a standing ovation in Parliament pic.twitter.com/VovbPFZYAh
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 1, 2022
Zelensky was also given a boost by the European Parliament on Tuesday, who recommended Ukraine as a candidate. It also demanded that Russia withdraw its troops.
It’s history. We are all making history. Ukrainians! European Parliament calls for Ukraine to become a candidate for EU membership.
— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) March 1, 2022
Multiple member states are supporting them.
“We, the Presidents of the EU member states: the Republic of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Poland, the Slovak Republic, and the Republic of Slovenia strongly believe that Ukraine deserves receiving an immediate EU accession perspective,” the leaders wrote in an open letter.
This is likely to anger Putin, as the Parliament supports Ukraine as a candidate country. That means there may be a question of how fast it might come, but that it’s probably likely to come. So Putin’s actions have had the opposite effect of what he desired — pushing people even closer to the West, out of concern over his actions. Putin’s plans will take another hit.
As we noted on Monday, in many ways, he’s lost already. They already don’t have the food or the fuel to support their operations. The huge convoy, which had been coming towards Kyiv, has not seen any movement. According to reports, Putin is furious that he’s effectively been embarrassed before the world and hasn’t achieved his aims yet. He had planned on a puppet government and that’s not going to happen. He might still take Kyiv, but he’s not equipped to occupy a hostile city that will take him out with Molotovs.
This post was last modified on March 1, 2022 2:22 pm
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