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10 mins ago
"We want to return home, to Europe": Zelensky advocates joining the European Union
By Nic Roberston
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during an EU summit at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on February 9.
(Photo: Olivier Matthys/AP)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky made a heartfelt call for his country to join the European Union during a speech before lawmakers in the European Parliament.
"We want to go home to Europe," Zelensky said Thursday.
The President of Ukraine stressed that his country shares values ​​with Europe, and not with Russia, which, according to him, is trying to turn Ukraine back in time.
It was an emotional message designed to try to connect with EU parliamentarians.
Zelensky further stated that Russia wants to return Europe to the xenophobia of the 1930s and 1940s.
"For us, the answer is no," he said.
"We are defending ourselves. We must defend ourselves."
"I am here to defend the way home for our people," he told EU lawmakers.
Zelensky claimed that Russia wants to destroy the Ukrainian and European way of life.
"We will not allow it," he said.
12 mins ago
"We have your back," says the president of the European Parliament to Zelensky
By Jack Guy
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) poses with European Parliament Speaker Roberta Metsola upon their arrival for a summit at the EU Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, February 9.
(Photo: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images)
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, introduced the President of Ukraine, Voloydymyr Zelensky, before his speech.
"We've got your back," Metsola told Zelensky.
"Freedom will prevail."
Zelensky received a standing ovation as he entered the chamber of the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday.
"Ukraine is Europe and the future of your nation is in the European Union," Metsola said at the start of an EU summit, standing next to Zelensky.
"We will be with you as long as it takes," he added.
14 mins ago
There is no "red line" in the supply of fighters to Ukraine, says the Prime Minister of Portugal
By Vasco Cotovio
Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa answers questions from journalists upon arrival for a summit in Brussels, Belgium, on February 9.
(Photo: John Thys/AFP/Getty Images)
Portugal's Prime Minister AntĂłnio Costa said his country does not have a red line when it comes to supplying fighter jets to Ukraine, but warned that it does not have the means to give up any of its own aircraft.
"It's not a red line," Costa told reporters upon his arrival in Brussels for an extraordinary meeting of the European Council on Thursday.
Portugal operates a total of 27 F-16 AM fighters, but Costa says they are already tied to various NATO commitments.
"It's an area where we simply don't have the possibility [to give Ukraine], since the means we have are all assigned to missions we can't do without," he said.
Costa went on to say that Portugal had done everything possible to support Ukraine since the start of the war, noting a recent commitment to send three of its Leopard 2 tanks.
He added that the supplies to Ukraine were ultimately aimed at achieving peace, but only on Ukrainian terms.
"Peace is our goal," he said.
"War is a means to achieve peace and this war, it must be remembered, was not started by Ukraine, Ukraine is the victim of war."
"The timing, terms and conditions for peace can only be defined by Ukraine," he added.
16 mins ago
Zelensky arrives at the European Parliament
By Radina Gigova, James Frater
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, shakes hands with European Parliament Speaker Roberta Metsola as they arrive for a summit at the EU parliament in Brussels, Belgium, February 9.
(Photo: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the European Parliament in Brussels ahead of an EU summit on Thursday.
He was received by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.
Zelensky is expected to address the EU Parliament later as part of a campaign to persuade the West to send more weapons and military support to counter an expected Russian spring offensive.
war in ukraine
