Europe at crossroads: Zelensky warns of rising threats and calls to arms
9:53 AM EDT, June 7, 2024
- We live in a time when Europe again ceased to be the continent of peace - warned Volodymyr Zelensky. The President of Ukraine arrived in France on Friday, addressing the deputies of the lower house of the French Parliament, the National Assembly.
- We live at a time when Europe is unfortunately no longer a continent of peace and at a time when Nazism is making a comeback (...) Once again there are those who seek to divide Europe, who say that such or such peoples do not deserve to exist — all this is aimed at Ukraine today, but may be aimed at other countries tomorrow - said Zelensky.
The President of Ukraine warned that the "The Russian regime does not see any limits, and even Europe is no longer enough," and that Baltic states, Poland, Balkan countries, and others could be the next victims of Russian aggression. In his speech before the French deputies, Zelensky argued that Vladimir Putin will find a way to destabilise European countries as well. He added that this will be the future if Ukraine does not win.
Zelensky appeals for help
The President of Ukraine has repeatedly expressed his gratitude to France for its support during the over two-year-long war, but he also emphasized that further assistance is necessary.
Zelensky referred to World War II and the unity of the Western Allies against Hitler at the time. A day earlier, Zelensky and other world leaders participated in commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy.
In parliament, the Ukrainian president expressed hope that the military planes used in the parade during the celebrations could, in the future, appear over Ukraine. - Your combat aircraft, your brilliant fighter jets in the hands of Ukrainian pilots will prove that Europe is stronger than the evil that dared to threaten it - said the President of Ukraine. - He added that we are doing everything to ensure that in 80 years, our cooperation is remembered as a victorious battle.
The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, announced Thursday evening that France will provide Ukraine with French Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets and train 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers. Macron did not specify how many planes would be provided.
