Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for solidarity while speaking to several European cities on Friday.
During Zelensky’s live message via Zoom, he encouraged Europe to stand with Ukraine and paused for a moment of silence to honor those who have fallen in this war, saying, “This first minute I would like to dedicate to the moment of silence to those who have fallen in the fight for their country, to our soldiers, to those who serve … those who are working as pilots, those who are making heroic deeds in different areas protecting their country and have given their lives away for this.”
“Let us commemorate the soldiers. Rest in Peace,” he said in the call with several European cities, including Bratislava, Frankfurt, Prague, Lyon, Tbilisi, Vienna and Vilnius.
Zelensky also shared some thoughts on the forces from across Europe, as well as “ordinary people” in Ukraine.
“I would like to wish all the best to the people of Europe … This is how our soldiers, our heroes … are greeting each other these days. These are the people who are protecting their homes, they’re protecting our Ukraine, protecting our Europe, they’re protecting your Europe and they’re greeting each other, wishing each other good health,” said the Ukrainian president.
“But from recently the soldier greeting, this army greeting, is something that ordinary people are starting to use in their day-to-day language when greeting each other because we are protecting our country from Russian invasion, from the Russian attack. We are protecting our homes and our land full-fledged and out of [Russian] war and Russian aggression,” Zelensky said. “Today our servicemen, some of our military servicemen, serving our country in the army, others are serving as doctors with scalpels in their hands doing the surgical operations. [Others] are working to protect the children and their families. And this is our heart, this is the heart of Ukraine, standing together against the evil.”
Zelensky used the final portion of his address to speak to people across the entire European continent, promising victory for Ukraine and the whole of democracy.
“I would like to dedicate to you, to the people of Europe. I would like to call upon you not to be silent. I would like you to come out on the streets and support Ukraine, support our efforts and support our fight because if Ukraine will not stand, Europe will not stand. If we will fall, you will fall so please don’t be silent, do not turn the blind on eye on this,” said Zelensky.
“Come out and support Ukraine as much as you can … And if we win, and I’m sure we’ll win, this will be the victory for the whole democratic world. This will be the victory of our freedom. This will be the victory of light over darkness, of freedom over slavery. And if we win, we will become as blossoming as Europe, and Europe will be flourishing more than ever after this magnificent victory. Glory to Ukraine.”
Zelensky then held his fist up in the air in a salute.