Zelensky addresses European Parliament on fourth anniversary of Russian invasion

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has told the European Parliament that Russia stands in the way of ending the war, as Europe marks four years since the invasion began.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (on screen) addresses an extraordinary plenary session of the European Parliament on the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Brussels, Belgium, 24 February 2026.

Photo: EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS

"We never chose this war. We didn’t start it and we did not provoke it, and we do everything we can to stop it," he stressed.

"This is not the first time in our history that Moscow comes to Europe with a very cruel, ruthless, anti-European project," the Ukrainian leader said.

There are many dictatorships in the world. Some seal themselves off within their own borders, trying to block any outside influence of freedom. And others do not recognize borders at all and actively try to destroy the freedom of their neighbors, entire regions, and sometimes… pic.twitter.com/5P8Ni36bw5

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2026

Zelensky addressed MEPs remotely during a special session in Brussels, receiving a standing ovation.

He thanked Europe for its support and called on the EU to set a date for Ukraine's membership.

"It’s a clear understanding of how [Russian President Vladimir ed.] Putin will act. If there’s no date, if there’s no such guarantee, he will find a way to block Ukraine for decades by dividing Europe."

Zelensky also called on the EU to approve a EUR 90 billion loan for Ukraine, calling it "a real financial guarantee of our security and our resilience".

The move was blocked on Monday by Hungary.

The session was held to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

(ał)

Source: IAR