‘light will win over darkness’ says Zelensky, receives standing ovation at European Parliament

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy receives standing ovation after his address he European Union Parliament on Tuesday. 

In his address through a video call, he said, “We are fighting for our land and for our freedom. And believe me, despite the fact that all the big cities of our country are now blocked, no one will enter our freedom and state.”

“Do prove that you are with us. Do prove that you will not let us go. Do prove that you are indeed Europeans. And then, life will win over death and light will win over darkness,” he said. 

“I am glad that we have united all of you, the countries of the European Union, today, but I did not know that it would have such a high price—it’s a tragedy for me, for every Ukrainian, for our country,” he further added.

“Today we pay for values, for rights, for freedom, just for the desire to be equal, the same as you, we pay with our best people, the strongest, extraordinary Ukrainians,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “They are defending their lives, but they are also fighting for universal values and they are willing to die for them. President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people are our true inspiration.”

She added, “This is a watershed moment for our union. We cannot take our security and the protection of people for granted. We have to stand up for it. We have to invest in it. We have to carry our fair share of the responsibility.”

Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament tweeted a video of Zelensky’s address.