Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the European Union to prove that it sides with Kyiv as it battles invading Russian forces, a day after signing an official request to join the bloc.

“We are fighting to be equal members of Europe,”Zelenskyy told an emergency session of the European Parliament on Tuesday via video link.

“Do prove that you are with us. Do prove that you will not let us go. Do prove that you are indeed Europeans and then life will win over death and light will win over darkness,” he said in Ukrainian in a speech translated to English.

“The EU will be much stronger with us.”

Zelenskyy has remained in Kyiv to rally his people against the invasion.

As he spoke on Tuesday, a Russian armoured column was bearing down on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.

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Emotion gripped the parliament during his speech, with Zelenskyy’s interpreter talking through tears as he translated the Ukrainian President’s plea.

According to Aljazeera, EU legislators, many wearing #standwithUkraine T-shirts bearing the Ukrainian flag, others with blue-and-yellow scarves or ribbons, gave Zelenskyy a standing ovation.

“We are (with you),” European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic said in response to Zelenskiy’s appeal, saying the EU would provide Ukraine with weapons, on top of slapping unprecedented sanctions on Russia after it invaded Ukraine last week.

“And we will be with you to rebuild your beautiful country after your victory,” he said.

The Star