The European Parliament holds an extraordinary plenary session following the Russian attacks in Ukraine. Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairperson of Ukrainian Parliament ,intervenes remotely to address MEPs.

EU - Ukraine (T)

debate

plenary session

EU - Russia (T)

troubles in Ukraine (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

MICHEL, Charles (BE)

BORRELL FONTELLES, Josep (PSE, ES, EC)

VON DER LEYEN, Ursula (DE, EC)

Extraordinary Plenary session on the Russian aggression against Ukraine: Statement by Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairperson of Ukrainian Parliament - Full speech without cutaways of the plenary

SOUNDBITE (Ukranian), Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairperson of the Ukraine Parliament I would like to thank you for the possibility to address the European Parliament. And I would like to say: look at my back, you see the shoots tha everybody sees today, the whole world face. Today, eight years ago, Ukrainian people said categorically, no to the Russian aggression, to their attempt to change their way to home, to European nation, to the United European Union, to to a very successful unifying process that they demonstrated during all these years. Instead, our right to develop, our right to be a democratic state, that chooses itself its own way, was completely ruined by the country that doesn't respect international law or international principles, that destroys territorial integrity and sovereignty. As a result, you see today very clearly amount of guilt, amount of wounded. You know that the aggressor attacked hulky, fullscale tonight. Today, other cities are being constantly under attack.

SOUNDBITE (Ukranian), Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairperson of the Ukraine Parliament You know, I think that in the history of Europe, there is a crossroad. Europe is now fighting an aggressor and it is very important how this challenge will be rebuffed by the United Civilisation. Dear parliamentarist, I know that you will look at a very whole range of serious economic sanctions that you will adopt against the aggressor. I would like you to understand that today Ukraine is defending the border of the civilised world and, God forbid, Ukraine falls nobody knows where Russian aggression will stop.

SOUNDBITE (Ukranian), Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairperson of the Ukraine Parliament When I was in my official sUIT and we were working in the Parliament and we have been taken very important reform laws. But just today, I was four times descending into the basement because above my one and a half thousand old city, there are bombs, missiles, and they do everything to break Ukrainian spirit. But this wouldn't happen.

SOUNDBITE (Ukranian), Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairperson of the Ukraine Parliament So think now what can happen to Europe if if the Russian horrible empire is renewed, if the European Union would be able to protect this space of freedom, which was created during the last ten dozens of years. And what is felt in Eastern European countries now when Russian tanks will confront their borders, which are the regions Kremlin will look after, it conquers Ukraine. But I would like to call upon you to think strategically to support the unity of European Union, to support Ukraine, to make its strategic partner and the most important act: don't be silent, collect all your efforts and show that Europe today is unified as never, because this threat today is like never before.

SOUNDBITE (Ukranian), Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairperson of the Ukraine Parliament And the best support to the people of Ukraine in the darkest hours will be the real recognition of our European aspiration. Because the membership in the European Union, even before these events that started on the 24th of February, was supported by the majority of Ukrainians. And this is our mandate. This is our mandate to have relationship with you, with European Union, because the Ukrainian people have made their choice.

SOUNDBITE (Ukranian), Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairperson of the Ukraine Parliament And I am calling upon all the member states and the leadership of European Union to support the candidate, the aspirant statures for Ukraine, which is now supported by the whole of Ukraine. You know that Vladimir Zelenisky has already signed the letter with our application to membership, according to Article 49 of the European Union agreement.

SOUNDBITE (Ukranian), Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairperson of the Ukraine Parliament Dear friends, in the project of the resolution of the European Parliament, there is a whole range of sanctions going to be reflected against the aggressor. I would I call upon you to support them because let's together confirm Churchill's expression that there are no small people and no small countries. Let's we know that Ukraine has proven that this slogan during the last six days, let's be worthy of those people who are pereshing right now for the European Union, for the future of our European house. Let's understand that there can not be peace in Europe without Ukraine there. There could not be integral Europe without Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine. Thank you for your attention.