Zelensky joins European leaders as EU pledges defense support
Volodymyr Zelensky is in Brussels. "I want to thank all European leaders for such strong support during all this period and the last week," he said before the start of the European summit.
"During all of this period, and last week, you stayed with us, of course from all Ukrainians, from all our nation, big appreciation. We are very thankful that we are not alone," said the President of Ukraine.
"It's very important you made a strong signal to Ukrainian people, to Ukrainian warriors, to civilians, to all our families. And it's great that we are not alone. We feel it, and we know it," he emphasized.
Earlier, Ursula von der Leyen spoke, saying, "In extraordinary times we need special measures. This is a watershed moment for Europe and Ukraine is part of our European family – it’s also a watershed moment for Ukraine. Europe faces a clear and present danger, and therefore Europe has to be able to protect itself, to defend itself," stressed the President of the European Commission.
"We have to put Ukraine in a position to protect itself and to push for a lasting and just peace," she added.
At the summit in Brussels on Thursday, European leaders are set to approve new forms of defense funding. This move not only acknowledges the United States but also signifies Europe's readiness to become independent from the U.S. as the continent's security guarantor. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will join the leaders of the "27."
