Zelensky is seen in Brussels with Charles Michel, proper, president of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, left, President of the European Fee on Thursday. ( Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Getty Pictures)
Zelensky campaigned for his nation’s priorities, together with securing extra navy firepower from allies and Ukraine’s long-sought accession to the European Union.
Listed here are a number of the main takeaways from the president’s wartime journey overseas:
A give attention to fighter jets: Now that Kyiv has secured pledges for more than 300 modern battle tanks, Zelensky is pushing for an additional potent addition to his arsenal: Western fighter jets.
That began with the Ukrainian chief’s shock go to to London, which got here a day earlier than his Thursday journey to Brussels to satisfy with the EU Council. Zelensky introduced the speaker of the Home of Commons with the helmet of a fighter pilot, signed with a message: “We’ve freedom. Give us wings to guard it.”
Ukraine’s allies have expressed various ranges of openness to delivering the plane, together with Poland, which has pledged to send the planes if different international locations do, too. France and the Netherlands are among the nations which have stated they’re contemplating the request.
Zelensky expressed optimism in regards to the pitch, however behind closed doorways, he’s likely being warned that and not using a totally functioning air protection system, NATO’s costly fighter jets could possibly be straightforward prey for the Russians, and that any fighter jet dedication must be sequenced with higher air protection.
A pitch to affix the EU: Zelensky made a heartfelt appeal to lawmakers in Brussels to permit his nation to grow to be a part of the European Union, insisting that Europe is Ukraine’s “residence.”
Throughout an handle to the European Parliament, Zelensky stated his nation and the EU share the identical values, and that the “European customary of life” and the “European guidelines of life” are “when the regulation guidelines.”
“That is our Europe, these are our guidelines, that is our lifestyle. And for Ukraine, it’s a method residence, a approach to its residence,” Zelensky stated, referencing Ukraine’s goal to affix the EU.
Ukraine has been given candidate status – a big step on the path to full EU membership – however the technique of admission to the alliance takes about 5 years on common. Some japanese European international locations have waited so long as 10 years.
Allies’ reception: Zelensky acquired a standing ovation as he walked into the chamber of the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday.
“We’ve your again,” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola informed Zelensky as she launched him for his handle. “Freedom will prevail.”