UKRAINE - A group of European leaders is fighting to allow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the people of Ukraine to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, despite the Nobel Committee’s expired deadline.In a letter, dated March 11, the politicians called on the committee to re-open and reconsider the 2022 nomination rules for the honor."Brave Ukrainian men and women are fighting to preserve democracy and self-government," the letter read. "From the defiance democratically elected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the man with tears in his eyes saying goodbye to his family to fight for his country, people all over Ukraine are rising up to resist the forces of authoritarianism.
Our words of sympathy and support can hardly do justice to the sacrifices they make for the principles of human rights and peace."More than 35 leaders signed the letter including former Prime Minister of Belgium Guy Verhofstad and former Prime Minister of Estonia Andrus Ansip.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy receives a standing ovation from the European Parliament. During his speech Tuesday via video link, Zelenskyy thanked the European Union for its continued support.
He spoke about the devastation Ukraine is experiencing from airstrikes, bombs and missiles, but how the Russian invasion isn't going to quote "beak us, we are strong." Zelenskyy emphasized the Ukrainian people are "motivated" and "fighting for our rights, for freedoms, for life"."We believe that now is the time to show the people of Ukraine that the world is on their side.