President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a speech, announcing one of the most important decisions for our country in 30 years of independence.

"I welcome all of our friends, all leaders - friends of Ukraine!

Welcome to everyone who supports freedom!

This is how I began my address to the European Council on March 24th - three months ago when I called upon you to support us.

And what a journey we have traveled in these three months! We, all of us together: Ukraine, your countries and the European Union as a whole. This path is not politics. I believe this marks the beginning of a new era for Europe. A united Europe without division. A Europe without 'gray' zones. A Europe that truly unites and knows how to defend itself, its values, and its future.

Today you have made one of the most important decisions for Ukraine in 30 years of our country's independence.

However, this decision - I believe - is not only for Ukraine. The greatest step towards strengthening Europe that could be taken right now, at this time and under such difficult conditions when Russia's war tests our ability to preserve freedom and unity.

On the fifth day of full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine, we submitted an application for EU membership. We provided a very quick and complete qualitative response to the questionnaire received from the European Commission.

And today - this desired result. I want to personally reaffirm today that Ukraine is capable of becoming a full member of the European Union.

Then, three months ago, I addressed each EU country and marked where we were at in our relations as I saw it. And today I want to tell each one of you individually what our people feel, in exactly the same order as it was then.

Lithuania - for us. Thank you, Mr President! Gitanas, you know how grateful Ukraine is to your nation and to you personally.

Latvia - for us. Thank you, Prime Minister! I believe together we can strengthen international order.

Estonia - for us. Thank you, Prime Minister Kallas! Helping one helps all. Estonia has done a lot.

Poland - for us. Thank you, Mr Prime Minister! Your country, people, your President - all of you are truly brothers on this European path with us.

France - for us. Thank you, Emmanuel! You can be sure that with Ukraine Europe in the 21st century will indeed become one of global leaders.

Slovenia - for us. Thank you, Prime Minister! Grateful for your unwavering defense of a common European cause.

Slovakia - for us. Thank you, Mr Prime Minister! We must continue to defend each other, this makes us truly strong.

Czech Republic - for us. Thank you, Prime Minister! I believe we will be together on the path towards full EU membership for Ukraine.

Romania - for us. Thank you, Mr President! Klaus, our cooperation in the region and within European structures can indeed become one of the foundations of global stability.

Bulgaria - for us. Thank you, Prime Minister! Thank you for choosing the side of good when this confrontation began on February 24th. We know it is not easy for you.

Greece - for us. Thank you, Mr Prime Minister! And personally thank you to the Greek people and your country which I love very much.

Germany - for us. Thank you, Olaf! Thank you for support at a critical moment.

Portugal - for us. Thank you, Prime Minister! Your country knows our people well. And I am sure we will only strengthen positive ties between us.

Croatia - for us. Thank you, Prime Minister! And thank you for the help of experience that we use to defend our freedom.

Sweden - for us. Thank you, Prime Minister! Blue and yellow truly always together!

Finland - for us. Thank you, Prime Minister! Your readiness to stand against aggression is simply inspiring!

Netherlands - for us. Thank you, Mr Prime Minister! You can be sure that your choice of Ukraine will indeed strengthen our common European freedom, rule of law and unity in diversity.

Malta - for us. Thank you, Prime Minister! Your island's voice completes the European community.

Denmark - for us. Thank you, Prime Minister! Do not doubt that with Ukraine the defense of European values will only strengthen.

Luxembourg - for us. Thank you, Mr Prime Minister! We truly understand each other and your energy inspires us towards future victories.

Cyprus - for us. Thank you, Mr President! Thank you for choosing in favor of our people and values.

Italy - for us. Very thank you, Prime Minister! Thank you for your strength, determination. Thank you that you prove that the principles of decent people are indeed the foundation of Europe.

Spain - for us. Thank you, Mr Prime Minister! I believe we can significantly strengthen our relations.

Belgium - for us. Thank you, Mr Prime Minister! We hope that after our victory we will often meet in Brussels in common European affairs.

Austria - for us. Thank you, Chancellor! I am confident we can make Europe even safer and historically most stable.

Ireland - for us. Thank you, Mr Prime Minister! This is a historic rapprochement of our peoples. Your personal leadership truly inspires.

Hungary - for us. Thank you, Prime Minister, thank you Viktor, together we are capable of much more than individually!

Madam President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola! We are grateful to you personally and to the European Parliament! You were the first on the day after our application was submitted to support granting Ukraine candidate status.

Mr President of the European Council, dear Charles, Madam President of the European Commission, honorable Ursula, I am grateful to both of you for the leadership that led us all to this day. I am grateful for sincere help, faith in Ukraine, Ukrainians and us all.

I have always said that we, Ukrainians, believe in the European Union. Although we remained formally outside the EU, probably our country had the most flags of united Europe.

They were in people's hands during revolutions. They were in people's trenches - from 2014 onwards. I believe that the flag of the EU will be in every Ukrainian city we still have to liberate from Russian occupation.

The Ukrainian and European flags will fly together when we rebuild our country after this war together.

And today, I want to thank separately and specifically within the framework of our joint meeting - a summit of all European leaders... I want to thank our heroes - everyone who with weapons in hand defends Ukraine's independence, freedom of Europe.

Thank you! Thank you for making possible a new history of Ukraine, a new history of Europe - even stronger and freer.

Very thank you to all of you!

Glory to Ukraine!"