Interpreter breaks down during Zelensky’s speech to European Union

3 yıl önce

BRUSSELS â The English-language interpreter for President Volodymyr Zelenskyâs speech to European lawmakers on Tuesday was so moved by the remarks that he momentarily lost his composure.

During the virtual address, Zalensky described the recent shelling of Kharkiv, including a missile hit on the cityâs Freedom Square. âCan you imagine, two cruise missiles, dozens killed,â the English-language interpreter said, his voice shaking. âThis is the price of freedom.â

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âWe are fighting,â theinterpreter continued, taking a breath. âJust for our land,â he said, exhaling sharply. âDespite the fact that all of our cities are blocked, that nobody is going to enter and intervene.â

The speech was a desperate plea to the European Parliament, with Zelensky all but begging the European Union âprove they are with usâ by letting Ukraine join the bloc, which now has 27 members.

âWe have proven our strength,â he continued. âSo do prove that you are with us. Prove that you will not let us go. Prove that you indeed are Europeans.â

The address was met with a standing ovation from lawmakers and with expressions of goodwill from various European leaders.

But as Zelensky signed off to return to the fight on the ground, it remained unclear whether his country had a shot at joining the bloc, let alone when.