Ukraine’s president Zelensky has pleaded with the European Union to “prove that you are with us” in an impassioned speech that received standing applause and brought the interpreter close to tears.
President Zelenskyy addressed the European Parliament via video link as many in the EU chamber wore Ukraine’s yellow and blue in support.
EKO HOT BLOGreports that the interpreter became emotional during the speech, in which Mr Zelenskyy said “nobody will break us – we’re strong, we’re Ukrainians” – and challenged the union to stand by his country.
“Do prove that you are with us. Do prove that you will not let us go,” said the president.
“Do prove that you are indeed Europeans and then life will win over death and light will win over darkness.”
Mr Zelenskyy said 16 children were killed yesterday and that Ukraine was “fighting to be equal members of Europe”.
It comes as at least 10 people died and 35 were injured in strikes against the second-biggest city of Kharkiv early on Tuesday, according to Ukraine’s interior ministry.
One missile hit a government building in central Freedom Square, causing a huge explosion, while residential areas are also said to have been attacked.
Several cars were driving next to the building when it was struck.
“The rubble is being cleared and there will be even more victims and wounded,” interior ministry adviser Anton Heraschenko said on social media.
President Zelenskyy called the attack on Kharkiv’s main square “frank, undisguised terror”.
“Nobody will forgive. Nobody will forget… This is state terrorism of the Russian Federation,” he said.
In a news conference, a Ukrainian broke down in tears as she made an emotional plea directly to Boris Johnson for the UK to help establish a no-fly zone above the skies of her homeland.
Daria Kaleniuk confronted the prime minister at a news conference, in Poland’s capital Warsaw, as she explained how her family and work colleagues remained at threat from the Russian invasion.
However, US secretary of state Antony Blinken, addressing the UN Human Rights Council, where he warns human rights abuses by Russia are “mounting by the hour”.
Russian strikes are hitting schools, hospitals and residential buildings and destroying critical infrastructure, he says.
Civilian buses, cars and ambulances have all been hit by shelling, Mr Blinken says.
The secretary of state also warns the Kremlin is “ramping up its repression within Russia”, threatening citizens with up to 20 years behind bars if they assist the West.
He urges council members to condemn Russia’s actions “firmly and unequivocally”.
