An English language interpreter for the European Union broke down on Tuesday while translating Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech to the European parliament detailing the impacts of the Russian invasion on the Ukrainian people.
“This is the price of freedom. We are fighting just for our land and our freedom,” Zelensky said, causing the EU translator to choke up. “We desire to see our children alive. I think it’s a fair one.”
“Despite the fact that all our cities in our country are now blocked. Nobody is going to enter and intervene with our freedom and country. Believe you, me, every square up today, no matter what it’s called, it’s going to be called as of today ‘Freedom Square’ in every city of our country. Nobody’s going to break us. We’re strong. We are Ukrainians,” the interpreter translated from Zelensky’s speech.
Zelensky told the European parliament that 16 children died on Monday during Putin’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
The speech comes after Zelensky applied for Ukraine to join the European Union.
“We are fighting also to be equal members of Europe,” Zelensky said. “I believe that today we are showing everybody that’s exactly what we are.”
“We are highly motivated people. Very highly. We are fighting for our rights, for our freedom, for our lives. And now we are fighting for our survival,” he added. “Please prove that you are together with us. Please prove that you will not repel us.”
He received a standing ovation before and after his speech.
This is not the first time an interpreter got emotionally during Zelensky’s address. A German interpreter broke down in tears while translating Zelensky’s speech on Sunday.
