The Diplomat
Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky yesterday called for the European Parliament’s support for his country’s EU membership because Europe “must show that it is on Ukraine’s side.”
“Europe will be stronger with Ukraine in its midst. Without you, Ukraine will be alone,” the leader said by videoconference from Kiev (“in a pause in the bombings”) during an extraordinary plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels to discuss Russia’s military assault on Ukraine.
“I speak on behalf of the citizens of Ukraine who defend it by paying the highest price,” he continued. “We have shown our strength. We fought for our rights, our freedoms and, right now, for our survival. We also fought for equal membership in Europe. So, now, show that you are on our side, show that you really are Europeans, and then life will prevail over death, and light over darkness. Glory to Ukraine,” he said.
For his part, the speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, warned that “Ukraine is defending the border of the civilized world. If Ukraine falls, no one knows where the Russians will stop.” Therefore, the best way to support Ukraine is to “recognize our European aspirations.”
At the same session, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, assured that the Council will analyze “the serious, symbolic, political and, in my opinion, legitimate request” of Ukraine to join the EU, and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, announced that the House will support “the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court and the investigation of war crimes in Ukraine.”
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that “if Putin sought to divide the EU, NATO and the international community, he has achieved exactly the opposite,” while EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell warned that “no one can look aside. We will remember those who, in these solemn moments, are not at our side”.
After the debate, in which the leaders of all the political groups took part, the MEPs approved a resolution in which they demanded tougher sanctions against Russia and that efforts be redoubled to grant Ukraine the status of candidate country to the Union. The text, which also denounces the role of the Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko in the aggression against Ukraine, was approved with 637 votes in favor, 13 against and 26 abstentions.
