Ukraine's membership decision must be made “with clear head”: EU Council chief
India Today
The European Council will have to decide on Ukraine's request for European Union membership "with a clear head", its President Charles Michel said.
The European Council will have to "seriously look at Ukraine's request for EU membership", council president Charles Michel said, a day after Ukraine President Voldomyr Zelenskyy asked the European Union to allow Ukraine to become a member "immediately" under a special procedure and filed the membership application as the country defends against the Russian invasion.
Charles Michel said a decision on Ukraine's membership will "have to be done with a clear head".
Addressing an emergency session of the European Parliament virtually, President Zelenskyy said: "We are fighting to be equal members of Europe."
"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 his address in Ukrainian as emotion gripped the parliament, reported news agency Reuters.
Zelenskyy's moving appeal won him a standing ovation from the members, many of whom attended the session in #standwithUkraine t-shirts with the flag of the war-torn country.
"The EU will be much stronger with us. Without you, Ukraine will be lonesome," Zelenskyy further said, Reuters reported.
The European bloc has, in an unprecedented move, today decided to send $450 million in military aid to Ukraine, in addition to humanitarian support.
