President Zelenskyy Gets Standing Ovation In European Parliament After Urging It To Accept Membership

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a standing ovation in European Parliament today (1 March) after urging it to accept membership.

EU member Michael Bloss shared the moment on Twitter, writing: "Standing ovation for @ZelenskyyUa, President of Ukraine from the whole of the European Parliament. 

"We #StandWithUkraine️ to defend democracy, human rights and peace."

Zelenskyy addressed the union in an impassioned speech amid the country's invasion by Russian forces.

Per the BBC, he said: "We are fighting for our rights, for our freedom, for our lives, and now we are fighting for our survival."

He went on to say that the country is also fighting 'to be the equal members of Europe'.

He added: "Together with us the European Union will be stronger, but without you Ukraine will be alone."

The President's speech follows the news that he has signed an application to join the 27-country bloc, a move that was announced an ‘historic moment’ by the Parliament of Ukraine on Twitter.

The Supreme Council of Ukraine shared a picture of Zelenskyy adding his signature to the letter, as well as a picture of the application itself.

In a video speech, he said: “We ask the European Union for Ukraine’s immediate accession under a new special procedure.

“Our goal is to be with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be equal. I’m sure that’s fair. I am sure we deserve it.”

Yesterday (28 February), the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Ukraine is ‘one of us and we want them in the European Union’.

Despite the claim, it is not clear whether Zelenskyy’s request for immediate admission will be granted.

Speaking to Euronews, Ms von der Leyen said: "We have a process with Ukraine that is, for example, integrating the Ukrainian market into the single market.

"We have very close cooperation on the energy grid, for example.

"So many topics where we work very closely together and indeed over time, they belong to us. They are one of us and we want them in."

She went on to say that trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin was ‘completely broken and eroded’.

The UK, USA, and European Union have announced sanctions against Putin’s Russia for his incursion into Ukrainian sovereign territory, but many believe that the sanctions against banks, airlines, and even private citizens, don’t go far enough.

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information.