Zelenskyy tells EU: ‘Prove you are with us’

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the European Union to prove that it sides with Ukraine in its war with Russia, in an impassioned speech that received a standing ovation and brought the interpreter close to tears.

President Zelenskyy addressed the  European Parliament via video link as many in the EU chamber wore Ukraine's yellow and blue in support.

The interpreter became emotional during the speech, in which Mr Zelenskyy said "nobody will break us - we're strong, we're Ukrainians" - and challenged the bloc to stand by his country. "We are fighting to be equal members of Europe," Mr Zelenskyy told an emergency session of the European Parliament.

"Do prove that you are with us. Do prove that you will not let us go?" asked the president. 

"Do prove that you are indeed Europeans and then life will win over death and light will win over darkness." EU lawmakers, many wearing #standwithUkraine T-shirts bearing the Ukrainian flag, others with blue-and-yellow scarves or ribbons, gave Mr Zelenskyy a standing ovation.

"The EU will be much stronger with us. Without you, Ukraine will be lonesome," Mr Zelenskyy said, with Kyiv officials likely well aware that Ukraine's membership bid will be long and difficult. Mr Zelenskyy said 16 children were killed yesterday and that Ukraine was "fighting to be equal members of Europe".

It comes as at least 10 people died and 35 were injured in strikes against the second-biggest city of Kharkiv early on Tuesday, according to Ukraine's interior ministry.

One missile hit a government building in central Freedom Square, causing a huge explosion, while residential areas are also said to have been attacked. Several cars were driving next to the building when it was struck.

Meanwhile, the Russia has denied the claim and says it is only attacking military targets. A first round of talks between Russia and Ukraine, held on the Belarus border on Monday, ended with no agreement.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said the Russian delegation had "a very biased view of the destructive processes it has launched" - but talks are set to continue in the coming days.