Michel addresses Verkhovna Rada: I dream that one day, a Ukrainian will head EU Parliament or EU Commission

The text of his speech was published by the Ukrainian parliament’s press service, Ukrinform reports.

At the beginning of the speech, the President of the European Council expressed his condolences in connection with a helicopter crash in Brovary.

“For nearly a year, the world has looked with horror at the war waged against your country. We are horrified by the suffering of your people, we are horrified by the devastation of your cities and horrified by Russia’s brutality, recently in Soledar, in Bakhmut, and in so many other towns and villages. Russia’s attack on an apartment building in Dnipro, killing dozens, is the latest crime in a long list of crimes. For nearly a year, the Kremlin has killed your citizens, destroyed your infrastructure, and shattered your cities, taking aim at your very right to exist. Why? Because you exercised your rights as free Ukrainians, you stood up to choose your own path and your own destiny, you chose democracy, you chose Europe,” Michel said.

He stressed that this is more than a war – “this is a strategy of systematic destruction, to force you into submission, to force your country into a vassal state”.

“And this strategy will fail. Ukraine is unbreakable, Ukrainians are united, resilient, brave and rightfully proud. I dream that one day, I hope soon, a Ukrainian will hold my job as President of the European Council, or as President of the European Parliament, or the Commission. We know that you want an end to this war of aggression and the EU shares this goal with you. We therefore support President Zelensky’s initiative on the 10-point peace plan.  In a few days, we will hold an EU-Ukraine Summit with your President. We will discuss all strands of our support to your country, both in your brave resistance against Russia and on your path towards the European Union,” Michel said.

He also stressed that there can be no independent and safe Europe without an independent and safe Ukraine, so the European Union will provide assistance for as long as it takes. In his opinion, Ukraine will definitely win back its freedom.

As reported, President of the European Council Charles Michel arrived in Kyiv on January 19 to meet with the Ukrainian leadership.