President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the EU Parliament and requests more military assistance
In a speech to the European Parliament today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested further military assistance, saying that his country and the EU are fighting together against Russia, which he described as “the greatest anti-European power” in the world. After his speech, he raised an EU flag, and the Ukrainian national song played as the entire legislature fell silent. Standing ovations were given to Zelenskyy before, during, and after his speech to European legislators.
Before Zelenskyy spoke, Roberta Metsola, the president of the European Parliament, urged partners to swiftly consider giving Ukraine long-range systems and fighter jets as a next step. The response to the Ukrainian war led by Russian President Vladimir Putin “must be proportional to the threat, and the threat is existential,” according to Metsola.
Zelenskyy’s public solicitation of additional Western military assistance coincided with mounting signs that Russia’s projected offensive around the invasion anniversary is beginning to take shape. According to the Institute for the Study of War’s most recent assessment, the forces of the Russian Federation have taken control of the situation in Ukraine and have started their next major offensive in the eastern Luhansk region, which is largely under Russian occupation. Although Russian forces are gradually starting to go on the offensive, success is neither inevitable nor predetermined.
On February 8, Zelenskyy paid a historic visit to the UK and spoke to British legislators. Zelenskyy, who was sporting his signature olive sweater, prophesied that Russia would lose the battle with his nation during a stirring speech to Parliament. In addition, Putin expressed his gratitude to the British people for their support since “Day One” of Moscow’s military effort.
He has not been to the UK before to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Rishi Sunak reiterated the UK’s continuous assistance in educating Ukrainian marines and fighter jet pilots to strengthen their defence capabilities.