WATCH: Translator chokes up during Zelensky speech at European Parliament
A translator was seemingly moved to tears while translating an impassioned speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the European Parliament as Russia's military invasion enters its sixth day. "Nobody is going to break us," Zelensky said. "We are strong, we are Ukrainians. We have a desire to see our children alive. I think it's a fair one. Yesterday, 16 children were killed."
Video Transcript
VOLODYMYR ZYLENSKYY: [SPEAKING UKRAINIAN]
INTERPRETER: There is an expression, Ukrainian choice-- European choice of Ukraine. That's worth striving for, and that's where we are going to, and where we went to. So I would like to hear, that from you to us, we could hear that Ukrainian choice for Europe from you. I have some time off here, because we have breaks between the missile strikes and bombardments.
This morning was a very tragic one for us. Two cruise missiles hit Kharkiv, the city which is located to the borders of the Russian Federation. There were always many Russians there, and they're always friendly. There were warm relations there. More than 20 universities are there.
It's the city that has the largest number of universities in our country. The youth is bright, smart there. The people who gathered there all the time, and was gathering there all the time, for celebrating all celebrations at the largest square in our country, the Freedom Square. And this is the largest square in Europe. And that's true. This is called the Freedom Square. Can you imagine, this morning, two cruise missiles hit this Freedom Square. Dozens of killed ones. This is the price of freedom.
We're fighting, just for our land, and for our freedom, despite the fact that all large cities of our country are now blocked. Nobody is going to enter and intervene with our freedom and country. And believe you and me, every square of today, no matter what it's called, is going to be called as today, Freedom Square in every city of our country. Nobody's going to break us. We are strong. We're Ukrainians. We have a desire to see our children alive. I think it's a fair one.
Yesterday, 16 children were killed. Again, and again, President Putin is going to say that is some kind of operation, and we are hitting a military infrastructure. Where are our children? What kind of military factories do they work at? What tanks are they going with, or launching cruise missiles? He killed 16 people just yesterday.
Our people are very much motivated, very much so. We are fighting for our rights, for our freedoms, for life, for our life. And now, we're fighting for survival. And this is the highest of our motivation. But we are fighting also to be equal members of Europe.
I believe that today, we are showing everybody that's exactly what we are. The European Union is going to be much stronger with that. So that's for sure. Without you, Ukraine is going to be lonesome. We have proven our strength. We have proven that as, at a minimum, we are exactly the same as you are. So do prove that you are with us. Do prove that you will not let us go. Do prove that you indeed are Europeans, and then, life will win over death, and light will win over darkness. Glory be to Ukraine.
[APPLAUSE]
