Zelensky addresses Europe: “If we will fall, you will fall so please don’t be silent”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for solidarity in a message broadcast to thousands of people gathered in cities across Europe on Friday.

Driving the news: Zelensky in the speech, which came a little over a week after Russia began its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, said that if Ukraine fell, “Europe will not stand.”

• “If we will fall, you will fall so please don’t be silent, do not turn the blind on eye on this,” he added.

What they’re saying: “If we win, and I’m sure we’ll win, this will be the victory for the whole democratic world,” Zelensky said.

• “This will be the victory of our freedom. This will be the victory of light over darkness, of freedom over slavery.”
• Zelensky also paid tribute to those who have died with a moment of silence.
• “Those who are making heroic deeds in different areas protecting their country and have given their lives away for this,” he said.
• “They’re protecting your Europe and they’re greeting each other, wishing each other good health….this is our heart, this is the heart of Ukraine, standing together against the evil,” Zelensky added.

Details: The speech was broadcast over Zoom to cities across Europe, including Bratislava, Frankfurt, Prague, Lyon, Tbilisi, Vienna and Vilnius, according to CNN.

• In Prague, thousands cheered in Wenceslas Square as Zelensky gave his speech. Large Ukrainian flags were seen and buildings were lit up in blue and yellow.

• A pro-Ukraine rally was also held in Tbilisi, Georgia. The crowd, sporting their Ukrainian flags, cheered when Zelensky held his fist up in the air in a salute at the end.

Go deeper:

• Axios explains Ukraine
• The latest on the Russia-Ukraine crisis