Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday urged the European Union to let his country begin the path to bloc membership, warning that Russia’s territorial ambitions extend from Warsaw to Sofia.
In a speech to both chambers of the Czech parliament via a video link, Zelensky also called for more EU sanctions against Russia for its February 24 invasion of Ukraine.
“Russia is not only interested in our (cities of) Mariupol, Sievierodonetsk, Kharkiv and Kyiv. No, its ambitions are aimed at a wide area from Warsaw to Sofia,” he said, without citing evidence for his affirmation.
“As in the past, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is the first step that the Russian leadership needs to open the way to other countries, to the conquest of other peoples.”
The EU has adopted six rounds of sanctions against Russia, and Ukraine is seeking a seventh round to increase pressure on Russia to end the war.