Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appealed to European Union leaders during a summit on Thursday, urging them to initiate membership talks with Ukraine.
In a video address, Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of not betraying the people’s faith in Europe and warned against a meeting that would result in a “satisfied smile” for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In his impassioned plea, Zelenskiy highlighted that Ukraine has fulfilled the necessary EU conditions for membership talks. While the majority of EU leaders support the move, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban remains an obstacle, expressing opposition to granting Ukraine approval as the country continues to resist Russia’s invasion.
Zelenskiy underscored the historic significance of the decision, stating, “Today is a special day. And this day will go down in our history. Whether it’s good or bad for us, history will capture everything. Every word, every step, every action and inaction. Who fought for what.”
He urged EU leaders not to succumb to indecision and emphasized the potential consequences of appearing untrustworthy or incapable of making crucial decisions. Zelenskiy concluded by reminding EU leaders of the symbolic importance of the European Union to the Ukrainian people, stating, “Ten years ago, in Ukraine, people rose up under the flags of the European Union. It was a symbol of truth for them, and it should remain so.”
