Ukrainian President appeals to the European Union for the immediate accession

As the Russian Army is heading into Ukraine, its President Volodymyr Zelensky has requested the European Union to grant his country "immediate" membership.

"We appeal to the European Union for the immediate accession of Ukraine via a new special procedure," Zelensky said in a video message released on February 28.

The Russian military operations against Ukraine has entered into the fifth day as many civilians have lost their lives in Ukraine. Russia too has admitted casualties of soldiers but their number are not known.

Zelensky’s video message further said, "Our goal is to be together with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be on an equal footing. I'm sure it's fair. I'm sure it's possible."

44-year-old Zelensky was a comedian before he came to power and became President in 2019. He added, "Ukrainians have shown the world who we are. And Russia has shown what it has become.

In the video message, he asked Russian soldiers to lay down their arms and save their lives. He said, “Abandon your equipment. Get out of here. Don't believe your commanders. Don't believe your propagandists. Just save your lives.”

He added, "We have taken a decision which is not easy from the moral point of view, but which is useful from the point of view of our defences," he said.

He expressed his gratitude for the support that he is getting from the Western countries as he said, "Support of our anti-war coalition is unconditional and unprecedented. Each of us is a warrior and I am sure that each of us will win."