Ukraine war: Let us rapidly join EU and cut Russia from SWIFT, says Ukrainian president Zelenskyy
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushed for Ukraine's urgent ascension to the European Union and Russia to be cut from the SWIFT international electronic bank payment system amid the ongoing invasion.
"Residential buildings destroyed by missiles and artillery are the final argument for the world to stop this occupational invasion together with us,” he said in a defiant video address on Saturday.
“I say it as frankly as it can be, the Ukrainian people deserve and have the right to get membership of the European Union. This will be the main evidence of support for our country."
Zelenskyy confirmed that he spoke to European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about what he said was a crucial moment to decide on the country's EU future once and for all.
Michel responded to Zelenskyy on Twitter, saying that "Ukraine and its people are family. Further concrete support is on its way."
In his address, Zelenskyy also asked the likes of Germany and Hungary to show "courage" on SWIFT and agree to the move.
"The anti-war coalition is working. Defensive weapons and equipment are arriving to Ukraine. We have almost unanimous support from the EU on cutting Russia from SWIFT. I hope Germany and Hungary will find the courage to support this decision."
On his Twitter account, Zelenskyy shared he was receiving "support calls" from several European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Swiss President Ignazio Cassis and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who he said offered "concrete assistance to Ukraine".
An earlier misunderstanding regarding a missed call from Italian PM Mario Draghi was also cleared up. Zelenskyy claimed that Draghi "in a phone conversation supported
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