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LAST UPDATE | 1 Mar 2022
UKRAINE’S PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR Zelenskyy has urged the European Union to increase its support to his country, telling the European Parliament to “prove you are with” Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader made the comments via videolink during an extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament today.
“We have proven our strength. We have proven that, as a minimum, we are exactly the same as you. So, prove that you are with us. Prove that you will not let us go. Prove that you indeed are Europeans. And then life will win over. And light will win over darkness. Glory be to Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in his concluding remarks.
The Ukrainian leader received a standing ovation from MEPs, many of whom wore Ukrainian colours, both before and after his address to the parliament.
The parliament’s translator struggled to contain his emotion as he relayed Zelenskyy’s account of the situation in the country following Russia’s invasion.
Ahead of Zelenskyy speaking, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said “we welcome Ukraine’s application for candidate status and we will work towards that goal.”
After the speech European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is “a moment of truth for Europe” and the future of the continent is at stake.
“The destiny of Ukraine is at stake, but our own fate also lies in the balance,” von der Leyen said.
As part of the EU’s response, Brussels would provide €500 million in extra funding to help deal with the “humanitarian consequences” of the war, including the flow of refugees into the bloc.
The address by Zelenskyy comes as evidence from the ground shows that Moscow’s forces are bombing civilian areas in major cities as they seek to push deeper into Ukraine.
EU lawmakers look set to back a non-binding resolution calling for Ukraine to be granted candidate status.
But the decision to put Kyiv on the path to join remains one for the 27 member states. Officials caution it would take years of reforms for Ukraine to be able to become part of the EU.
On the potential for Ukraine’s entry to the EU, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said yesterday that while he favours an accelerated process for prospective EU members, he was unsure whether Ukraine could join “immediately”.
“I don’t know whether it can be done immediately. But I certainly would be a proponent and supporter of accelerating it and making it very clear that they can become members of the European Union,” he said.
On his way into a Cabinet meeting today, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said that “other countries” are also looking for EU membership.
“I think we have to be careful not to forget those who’ve also been looking for membership for a long time. My own view is that Europe will be strengthened by further additions, I think we have to manage that.
“Obviously, we have to make sure the rule of law and all the other basic fundamental rules of the EU are in in place,” he said.
Additional reporting from AFP and Rónán Duffy
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Not ashamed to say I cried when I saw him, brave brave man.
The Irish government should stop selling Irish passports to Putin’s friend today. Cancel all passport sold to people under EU sanctions.
@leartius: Thats easy enough to do. Slightly harder, but more effective, would be to oblige all financial advisers (lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, company formation agents, bankers)l, etc.) and their overseas associates to inform them of all dealings with Russians that MAY have resulted in wealth being transferred from Russia to the West. Rich Russians do not invest in Russia. Then confiscate their wealth (minus reparations) until Ukraine is restored to as a fully free democratic member of the international community. Rich Russian oligarchs will make Putin stop or remove him from office. Why? The love of their money trumps their love of Mother Russia every time.
Ukraine wanting to join the EU is understandable but it’s not something that can be done in a hurry, like the reverse of the Brexit process. It generally takes years and lots of negotiations. Even if they could fast forward it, it would essentially be declaring war on Russia, which would be devastating for the EU and would probably start WWIII
@Jj: Putin has already started WWIII! Don’t think for a moment that he’ll stop with Ukraine. Now is the time to hit him while his army is on the ground in Ukraine. Once they start moving they’ll be difficult to hold back.
@Jj: probably wouldn’t start WW3 unless Nato gets militarily involved. What it will show to Putin and the Russian people is that the EU has Ukrainians back now and into the future.
@Jj: the presence of the application gives them something to barter with to achieve a ceasefire. E.g. Russia walks away having signed an agreement that Ukraine rescinds the application to the EU as part of a ceasefire for example. It’s a powerful piece of leverage to have.
@Jj: I think it’s already started. It just hasn’t spread yet. At this stage I believe someone has to go in to help Ukraine because if putin gets away with this he will focus on other countries including Finland. I hope I’m wrong but its all pointing that way
@Jj: lives are more important than beaurocracy.
Russia won’t stop at Ukraine, Putin/Russia need to be castrated before they get totally out of control.
@Jj:
@Jj: I’m afraid WWIII already started. The problem is Europe was not ready for it , evil Putin is few steps ahead. He picked his time right, while the world was dealing with the epidemic virus and put pressure on China, Putin was cozying up with China and planning what is starting now. We are living dangerous time now but no one seems to notice.. Ukrainians in Kiev were sitting in cafés drinking their coffees only two weeks ago
@Con Cussed: It is not good to associate a country with one person-except in cartoons. Russia has vital national interests and NATO is a neo-colonial empire which has brought death and distruction to many countries. NATO expansion has to be stopped. Unfortunately, the EU is associated with NATO.
@Joseph Mc Dermott: Finland is not a member of NATO, by treaty. That should be the model for Ukraine.
I listened live to the President of Ukraine speak!! So so emotional and brave. The phrase “Evil triumphs when good men do nothing” came to mind. Whether we like it or not we are all involved in this war!!
@Tom Kelly: For people like that involved in the Azov Battalion……I dont think so……
@Richard Day: how many out of 40 million..
@Tom Kelly: The fact that a Militart brigade who is openly Nazi sympathizers is supported and abetted by its Government speaks volumes……
@Richard Day: Are the Azov Battalion currently invading Ukraine, bombing cities, rolling tanks towards Kyiv, and killing children? Russian mouthpieces love to play the false equivalency game.
@Richard Day: Russian mouth piece. There are Nazis everywhere but luckily few of them are world leaders except in Russia, Syria, Myanmar etc.. Complete the list. Quite clear that you are one of the Muppets of the Muppet King in Moscow
@McCarthy John: Says person who resorts to Childish name calling……
@Richard Day: BBC News – Nigerian student in Ukraine: ‘They said black people should walk’
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-60573719
@Tom Kelly: Well….he is an actor. He would now have more credibility if he had intervened in the civil war against the people in the Donbas area over the past 8 years.
The address by the President of the European parliament was excellent. She didn’t hold back.
@alternativefacter: Maybe the Polish can lease out some suitable runways for the Ukranians to use. After all Belarus is making its countries resources available to the Russians. Fairs fair.
@Ian O’Donovan: Good point!
@Ian O’Donovan: You may not be aware but is not only Russia who has a problem with Ukraine handling of minorities but all its neighbours. So EU neighbours help is kept at minimum.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/hungary-kyivs-minority-rights-stance-limits-any-support-in-conflict/
https://business-review.eu/news/president-iohannis-cancels-official-visit-in-ukraine-over-adoption-over-controversial-education-law-148343
God help these people whatever happens politically, how on earth can civilians survive this bombardment of evil.
@Seamus Quaide: We can only hope that the young Russian soldiers and their families are equally eager for peace. My heart goes out to the brave Ukrainians.
Surely they can join immediately subject to certain criteria that must be addressed within a 3-5 year period. Corruption is rife in Ukraine, as it is in Russia, which they will need to clear up within a specified period. Right now we need to stop the menace of Putin and help put European weaponry in the air to defend Ukraine. It might mean that we too have to fight, young and old, against this tyrant.
@Con Cussed: Well said. This fight is not just for Ukraine. It is for the whole of civilized Europe. Ukraine is just on the firing line today. It may be the turn of Finland in 5 years time if the Mad hatter is not stopped now.
We should stop pandering to a mad man.
@Con Cussed: corruption is everywhere, even here.
@Jacob: The vital national interest of Russia is threatened by having the destroyer of Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan etc on it’s border. Simple as that.
Wonder if Daly & Wallace applauded?
@Jon Boylan: Wallace & Gromit more like.
EU leaders, please admit them immediately. They will mend their ways. I am sure they have learnt a big lesson. These are the people who will appreciate the essence of the union.
Forget about Putin. You can’t please him. He his deranged!
The rot set in when the Common Market drifted from being a customs Union to becoming a political and military power in association with NATO. Were it not for the association with NATO, it would not be a treath to any country if their neighbours were in the EU.
This man has done the world a heroic and enormous service and woken the world. Perhaps Russia will make many martyrs in Ukraine and nothing will stir to recruit more. They can be cut from the internet/ western internet. What happens in Kyiv over the next few days may leave us without a choice. Do we stand against Putin now or wait to surpass it in 5yrs in military production and spend as it falls further and further behind as an EU army that can go alone. That is the key dilemma. Ukraine balance hangs with US/China and how they would respond is key if it is becomes now. One misstep one mishap and the whole world will ignite against him. Such a dumb move possibly one of the worst in history and his only way out he think is to do more unthinkable and monstrous things.
@Albert Brennerman: Well, if we did not protest at what NATO has done, why are we protesting now? Are we racist or Euro-centric?
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