Roberta Metsola urges EU Member States to send jets, long-range systems to Ukraine

President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola reiterated that Europe will have Ukraine’s back throughout the war with Russia as the House welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy is in Brussels this morning to address the European Parliament. The Plenary sitting is being attended by MEPs and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

In her address to Zelenskyy and the House, Metsola said that Ukraine is not only fighting for their values, but for Europe’s too. “Because Ukraine is Europe and your nation’s future is in the European Union.”

“We know the sacrifice your people have endured for Europe and we must honour it not only with words but with action.”

Metsola said that Member States should consider providing long range systems and jets “to protect the liberty too many have taken for granted”.

“Our response must be proportional to the threat – and the threat is existential.”

Metsola also recalled a story of Malta's last three fighter planes during the Second World War. "When all seemed lost, when they had no ammunition, no food and no hope, all that remained were three barely functioning planes that they called Faith, Hope and Charity - named after what they were fighting for, after what was at stake."

"The planes meant one more day of liberty, just long enough for help to arrive. They meant peace."

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