President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi on Thursday, during a historic speech before the European Parliament in Brussels, said that his country, together with Europe, “defends itself against the largest anti-European force in the modern world,” Reuters reports.

On Thursday, the Kyiv leader thanked the European Parliament for the EU help Ukraine is receiving to defend against a Russian invasion, before addressing a summit of EU leaders demanding more weapons, with Zelensky becoming the first president to speak from the EP podium while his country is at war. .

After securing promises of Western battle tanks in recent weeks, Ukrainian officials are now focusing on trying to secure the supply of longer-range missiles and fighter jets.

Zelensky, MEPs greeted

“Thank you,” Zelenskyy told European lawmakers who applauded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi on Thursday as he stood before he addressed the crowd, applauding and cheering him on, some of them wearing blue and purple ribbons. A yellow Ukrainian flag pinned to their jackets.

“We are defending ourselves on the battlefield, we Ukrainians are with you,” he said, adding that his country, together with Europe, is “defending itself against the biggest anti-European force in the modern world.”

While Zelensky is unlikely to leave with any promises about his demands, the visit gives him a chance to address all 27 EU national leaders in person for the first time since Russia invaded his country on February 24, 2022.

Discussions regarding Ukraine’s accession to the EU

In his speech in the European Parliament, Zelensky did not repeat Ukraine’s request for planes.

Ukrainian officials have also been pushing for membership talks for several months.

But while some EU member states are eager to boost Ukraine’s morale, which would come with the start of negotiations on joining the bloc, others are much more cautious.

They stressed that prospective members must meet a number of criteria, such as fighting corruption, before negotiations can begin.

The head of the European Parliament supports the armament of Ukraine

The head of the European Parliament, Roberta Metzola, supported Ukraine’s call to increase the number of weapons.

“We know the sacrifice your people have made for Europe and we must honor it not only in words but also in deeds,” she said, adding that this should include “the plains you need to defend the freedom on which too much is taken for granted.” .

After visits to London and Paris a day ago, Zelenskyi is participating on Thursday in the capital of Belgium at the summit of the heads of states and governments of the European Union, who will be asked to deliver fighter jets to Kyiv to counter the offensive of the Russian army.