Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a new speech during the European Parliament's plenary session.
He praised the courage of Ukrainians in the face of the Russian army and commemorated the victims of recent days.
Ukraine reaffirmed its desire to become a member of the European Union.

"In recent days I no longer know how to greet you, because I cannot say 'good' morning or 'good' afternoon or 'good' evening. I cannot do that because for some people today is not a good day, for some it is the last." These are the words with which Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky opened his speech during the European Parliament's plenary session, which he delivered on Monday 1 March.

Zelensky, speaking remotely, immediately praised the courage of Ukrainians in the face of the Russian army: "Ukrainians are incredible. We often say we can defeat anyone. And I am glad that you can see it with your own eyes. And it is the truth: we defeat anyone," he said.

He went on to recall the dramatic explosion that occurred earlier that day in the city of Kharkiv, where the main square, Freedom Square, was struck by a missile. "Dozens of people have died. This is the price of freedom; we are fighting for our land and our freedom," he stressed.

But Ukraine is also fighting to become a member of the European Union, Zelensky added: "Now we are fighting to survive. That is the greatest motivation. But we are also fighting to become members of Europe, and I believe that today we have shown everyone that this is exactly what we are. The European Union will be stronger with us, that is certain. Without you, Ukraine will be left alone. We have demonstrated our strength. We have demonstrated, at the very least, that we are exactly like you," he concluded.

Below is the full speech.

Il discorso di Volodymyr Zelensky al Parlamento europeo — Volodymyr Zelensky's speech to the European Parliament © European Union, 2022

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's speech to the European Parliament

In recent days I no longer know how to greet you, because I cannot say "good" morning or "good" afternoon or "good" evening. I cannot do that because for some people today is not a good day, for some it is the last.

Today I speak about my fellow citizens, the citizens of Ukraine who are defending themselves paying the highest price for their freedom. I am glad to see your reaction and to hear your words; there is an atmosphere of unity. I am glad to see us united today, to see all the countries of the European Union united.

But I know that this is the price we will have to pay, and it is a tragedy for us, for me, for every Ukrainian — it is a tragedy for our country. This is truly a high price to pay. Thousands of people have been killed. Two revolutions, a war, and five days of Russia's invasion. You know that I no longer read speeches, because that phase — reading what I have to say — is behind us.

Now we are dealing with reality. We talk about people being killed; we talk about real life. I believe that today we are sacrificing our lives for rights, for freedom, for the desire to be your equals. We are sacrificing the best people, the strongest, the most courageous.

Ukrainians are incredible. We often say we can defeat anyone. And I am glad that you can see it with your own eyes. And it is the truth: we defeat anyone. Ukraine's European choice is clear; this is our direction.

So I would like to hear it from you. I would like to hear that you have chosen Ukraine. I have some free time now, between one bombardment and an air strike. But this morning was tragic for all of us. Two cruise missiles struck [the city of, ed.] Kharkiv, which lies on the border with Russia.

There have always been many Russians there and they were always friendly; we had an excellent relationship. There are over 20 universities — it is the city with the highest number of universities in our country. The young people are brilliant and intelligent. People always used to gather in that square to celebrate; it is the largest in our country, Freedom Square.

And it is also the largest in Europe. It is called Freedom Square. Can you imagine that this morning two missiles struck Freedom Square? Dozens of people have died. This is the price of freedom; we are fighting for our land and our freedom.

All the largest cities in our country are blockaded. No one will come to give us back our freedom and our nation. And believe me, every square in our country from today, regardless of its name, will be called Freedom Square. No one will manage to destroy us; we are strong.

We are Ukrainians. We want to see our children survive; I believe that is a normal thing. Yesterday, 16 children were killed. And once again, President Putin will say it was some operation aimed at hitting a military target. What military target do children work at?

He killed 16 people yesterday alone. But our people are motivated. Very much so. We are fighting for our rights. For our freedoms. For life. For our life. And now we are fighting to survive. That is the greatest motivation. But we are also fighting to become members of Europe, and I believe that today we have shown everyone that this is exactly what we are.

The European Union will be stronger with us, that is certain. Without you, Ukraine will be left alone. We have demonstrated our strength. We have demonstrated, at the very least, that we are exactly like you. So show us your support. Show us that you will not abandon us. Show us that you are truly European. Only then will life defeat death and light defeat darkness. Glory to Ukraine.

Standing ovation from the European Parliament for Volodymyr Zelensky's speech