Zelensky urges Germany, Hungary to support decision to cut Russia off SWIFT- address

KYIV. Feb 26 (Interfax) - Ukraine is continuing to receive support from European Union countries and insists on cutting Russia off the SWIFT international interbank communication system, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

"The antiwar coalition is acting, and Ukraine keeps receiving defensive weapons and equipment. There is almost full support from EU countries on cutting Russia off SWIFT. I hope Germany and Hungary will have enough courage to support this decision. We have enough courage to defend our homeland and defend Europe," Zelensky said in an address on Saturday.

Granting European Union membership to Ukraine would be a key sign of its support by European countries, he said.

"I am saying this as candidly as possible now: the people of Ukraine have already deserved and are entitled to European Union membership. This would be a key sign of support for our country. This is a decisive moment to put an end to the yearslong strategic discussions once and for all and make a decision on Ukraine's membership of the European Union. I've discussed this with [President of the European Union] Charles Michel, [President of the European Commission] Ursula von der Leyen, and [French President] Emmanuel Macron," Zelensky said.