Metsola: EU must consider supplying Ukraine with long-range missile systems and aircraft. Zelensky: We want to come home to Europe
The MEPs applauded Volodymyr Zelenski for at least a minute, when he entered the plenary of the European Parliament, together with the president Roberta Metsola. She spoke first, saying EU countries "need to consider" providing long-range missile systems and aircraft to Ukraine.
"Ukraine is Europe and the nation's future is in the European Union," Metsola told Zelenski. "You will win," added the President of the European Parliament. "I am really proud to say that this institution, the institution of European democracy, our members and the European Union have always been with you. We understand that you fight not only for your values, but for ours, for the ideals we share as brothers and sisters. They make us all Europeans, because Ukraine is Europe, and your future is in the European Union," Metsola said. She added that Europe must pay tribute to Ukrainians not just with words, but with deeds.
"With the political will to secure the accession process as quickly as possible, with funds for your people, to help in the reconstruction process and with training for your troops, with military equipment and defense systems that you need to win. And now the member states must think as quickly as possible to provide the long-range systems and the aircraft that you need to ensure the freedom that many take for granted," said the President of the European Parliament.
Zelenskiy thanked European leaders for their support for Ukraine since the beginning of the war, while praising "the European way of life, the European standard of living, European rules and the rule of law."
"Peaceful Europe, with its lifestyle, with its way of life, with its standards of life, with its rules of life, a place where everyone matters, where the law rules, where states try to be as social as possible and societies are as open as possible, where diversity is respected, where people's values are treated equally, where borders are respected, but where on the other hand you don't even feel when you cross a border, a place where people have faith in the future and have the courage to go out street to fight for their future and where there is only one barrier for politicians, fair and honest elections. This is our Europe, these are our rules and principles. This is our way of life. And for Ukraine it is the way home. For Ukraine, Europe is its home. I am here to defend this way home of my people," Zelenskiy said.
"Europe will be and remain Europe as long as we are united, as long as we take care of our continent, as long as we take care of the European way of life. Thank you all and I invite you all to Ukraine. Glory to all Ukrainians," Zelensky also declared.
