Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had been asking to be able to apply for EU membership as a further way of solidifying Ukraine’s connection to the West (and giving the other EU nations more reason to support his country). The effort had been stalled in the past, but now he’s asking for fast-track membership, given the circumstances of being under attack from Russia.

Zelensky appeared virtually before the European Parliament to let them know what was happening with the Russian attack on his country and his remarks even made the translator choke up as he said that they were not going to be broken, despite the severe attacks even on Freedom Square in Kharkiv.

From Washington Examiner:

“This morning, two cruise missiles hit Freedom Square, dozens killed,” Zelensky explained, referencing the eighth-largest city center square in Europe, which is located in Kharkiv. “This is the price of freedom. We’re fighting for our land and for our freedom.” The translator’s voice can be heard cracking from emotion.

“Every square today, no matter what it’s called, is going to be called Freedom Square, in every city of our country. No one is going to break us. We are strong. We are Ukrainians,” Zelensky continued, emphasizing that Ukrainians “have a desire to see our children alive. I think it’s a fair one.”

“We are fighting for our freedom, for our rights and for our survival. And we also fight to be equal members of Europe. With us in it, the EU will be stronger. Please, prove that you are together with us. Then life will conquer death,” Zelensky concluded

The Parliament also gave Zelensky a standing ovation after his speech.

❗️Today, Volodymyr Zelensky spoke via conference in the European Parliament. After his speech in the #European Parliament, everyone gave a standing ovation. pic.twitter.com/VovbPFZYAh

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 1, 2022

Zelensky also got a huge boost for his aims on Tuesday with the European Parliament, which has now recommended Ukraine for candidate status. The resolution also called for Russia to remove its troops.

We're making history. All of us. Ukrainians! The European Parliament has called for Ukraine to be a candidate for EU membership.

— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) March 1, 2022

They are also receiving support from multiple members states.

“We, the Presidents of the EU member states: the Republic of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Poland, the Slovak Republic, and the Republic of Slovenia strongly believe that Ukraine deserves receiving an immediate EU accession perspective,” the leaders wrote in an open letter.

Now, this is sure to infuriate Putin that the Parliament is supporting Ukraine as a candidate state. That means there may be a question of how fast it might come, but that it’s probably likely to come. So Putin’s actions have had the opposite effect of what he desired — pushing people even closer to the West, out of concern over his actions. His plans are going to take a further hit.

As we noted on Monday, in many ways, he’s lost already. They already don’t have the food or the fuel to support their operations. There has been no appreciable movement with the huge convoy that had been approaching Kyiv. According to reports, Putin is furious that he’s effectively been embarrassed before the world and hasn’t achieved his aims yet. He had planned on a puppet government and that’s not going to happen. He might still take Kyiv, but he’s not equipped to occupy a hostile city that will take him out with Molotovs.