Addressing European lawmakers on the 1,000th day of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Zelensky said that Russia would not cease its assault on Ukraine without external pressure.
'Stop Putin's War Crimes': A banner condemning Russia's war against Ukraine displayed outside the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. Photo: EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS
Putin 'will not stop on his own'
Speaking remotely at a special session of the European Parliament, Zelensky argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin "will not stop on his own" as he remains "focused on winning" the war.
"You know very well that Putin does not value people or rules, only money and power," Zelensky told European lawmakers on Tuesday.
"These are the things we must take away from him to restore peace," he added.
'Putin remains smaller than the united strength of Europe'
Speaking via video link from Ukraine, Zelensky renewed his call for continued Western support for Kyiv in its fight against Moscow's ongoing invasion.
He thanked the EU for its steadfast assistance and appealed for additional support as winter approaches, amid escalating Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.
In his address, Zelensky said that Ukraine, all of Europe and partners in America and around the world have succeeded not only in "preventing Putin from taking Ukraine" but also in defending the freedom of all European nations.
"Putin remains smaller than the united strength of Europe," Zelensky told MEPs. "I urge you not to forget this, and not to forget how much Europe is capable of achieving."
He added: "We can surely push Russia towards a just peace. Peace is what we desire the most."
'We must do everything we can to end this war fairly and justly'
Zelensky concluded by saying: "We must do everything we can to end this war fairly and justly. 1000 days of war is a tremendous challenge. We must make the next year the year of peace."
Zelensky's address was met with prolonged applause from MEPs, as European leaders debated future strategies to bolster Ukraine’s security, news outlets reported.
Zelensky also told MEPs that the number of North Korean troops stationed inside Russia could grow to 100,000, the Reuters news agency reported.
It noted that Kyiv and its Western allies have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with weaponry and troops to support its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
"Now, Putin has brought 11,000 North Korean troops to Ukraine's borders," Zelensky told the European Parliament.
"This contingent may grow to 100,000," he added, as cited by Reuters.
'We are not trading Ukraine's sovereignty, security, or future'
In a separate speech to the Ukrainian parliament later in the day, Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform reported.
"We are not trading Ukraine's sovereignty, security, or future," he declared, as quoted by Ukrinform.
Zelensky told Ukrainian lawmakers: "We will not give up our rights to any part of our territory. Nor will we allow our state to be used in election battles in Europe. No one will win at Ukraine's expense."
Outlining his "resilience" plan, the Ukrainian leader urged citizens and officials to stand united, saying that the war had reached a critical juncture that would decide whether Ukraine or Russia prevails, according to Reuters.
Russia invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea on February 24, 2022, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II.
Tuesday is day 1,000 of Russia's war on Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has marked the sombre milestone by honouring the "heroism and suffering" of the Ukrainian people and reaffirming Poland's solidarity with its embattled neighbour.