Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the extraordinary two-day EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday afternoon, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Speaking through an interpreter, Ukraine’s leader said that Russia was trying to destroy Europe’s freedom.
He cautioned: “Russia has got a significant toolbox, and this toolkit is not just against the Baltic countries, Poland, or Ukraine, or other countries,” as quoted by the Politico news service.
Zelensky commended European leaders, including Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, for their support for his country so far, including economic support, sanctions packages and military aid, and for understanding that there should be no “grey zones” on the continent.
‘A free Europe cannot be imagined without a free Ukraine’
“We understand that the unity of Europe is the fundamental way to security,” he stated, stressing that a free Europe “cannot be imagined without a free Ukraine.”
Ukraine’s president described his country’s EU membership bid as “one more fundamental brick in our joint security.”
Tanks, ammunition, fighter jets
Zelensky also appealed for more military assistance to help Ukraine battle the Russian invasion, telling EU leaders: “We need the artillery guns, the ammunition, the modern tanks, the long-range missiles and modern fighter jets. We have to enhance the dynamics of our cooperation — we have to do it faster than the aggressor that tries to mobilise its potential.”
Sanctions
The Ukrainian president also called for further sanctions against Russia, citing such areas as nuclear energy, the drone and missile sectors, and the IT industry.
Zelensky urged the creation of a tribunal to try Russian war crimes, and a compensation mechanism.
He stressed that Ukraine “never wanted this war.”
Earlier in the day, Zelensky also delivered a speech to the European Parliament.
He arrived in Brussels after visiting London and Paris for talks with British, French and German leaders on Wednesday.
Thursday is day 351 of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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Source: PAP, Politico, Reuters