Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received a standing ovation after delivering an impassioned speech to the European Parliament, calling for his country to be granted immediate membership into the European Union.
Zelensky address representatives of the 27 European Union member states during a special plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday as the Russian invasion stretched into its sixth day.
"We are fighting for our rights, for our freedom, for our lives, and now we are fighting for our survival," Zelensky said, appearing via video.
"But we are fighting also to be equal members of Europe," he added. "We're giving lives for values, for rights, for freedom, for the desire to be equal as much as you are."
Zelensky's comments came hours after after a Russian missile strike caused massive damage to Kharkiv's Freedom Square, the center of Ukraine's second biggest city. At least 10 people were killed and another 35 were injured in the explosion, according to the BBC.
"This is the price of freedom. We are fighting just for our land. And for our freedom, despite the fact that all of the cities of our country are now blocked," Zelensky said.
"Every square today, no matter what it's called, is going to be called Freedom Square, in every city of our country. No one is going to break us. We are strong. We are Ukrainians," he continued.
Zelensky said his country has proven its strength and worthiness to be considered equal members of Europe.
"The European Union is going to be much stronger with us, that's for sure," he said. "Do prove that you are with us. Do prove that you will not let us go. Do prove that you indeed are Europeans, and then life will win over death and light will win over darkness.
"Glory be to Ukraine," Zelensky concluded, as the delegation rose to its feet in applause.
Ukraine's minister for foreign affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, echoed the president's remarks, saying "the best decision the E.U. can make now is to accept Ukraine as a new full-fledged member of the European Union without delay."
"Historic times require big and historic decisions which can change the flow of events," Kuleba tweeted. "This step is exactly such a decision."
While it's not yet clear if the European Union will accept Ukraine's membership, the leaders of eight eastern and central European countries -- Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia -- have put their support behind Ukraine and are calling for immediate action on the country's behalf, Reuters reported.
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