President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken in the Palace of Westminster in his first trip to the UK since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Attendees in the packed-out palace included King Charles III, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and former PM Boris Johnson.
The visit came following Sunak’s promise of extra military aid for Ukraine in their continued fight against Russia.
GB News
The Prime Minister announced plans to train Ukrainian pilots, paving the way for them eventually being able to fly sophisticated Nato-standard jets, a key request from Zelensky.
In only his second overseas trip since Vladimir Putin’s forces invaded his country almost a year ago, President Zelensky thanked Britain for its “big support from the first days of full-scale invasion.”
He began his speech in Parliament by thanking Britain on behalf of his country’s “war heroes”.
Addressing MPs and peers in the ancient Westminster Hall, the Ukrainian President said: “The people of the United Kingdom and their honourable representatives, all the people of England and Scotland, of Wales and Northern Ireland, of all the lands which have been home to brave souls since Europe came into existence.
“I have come here and stand before you on behalf of the brave, on behalf of our war heroes who are now in the trenches under enemy artillery fire, on behalf of our air gunners, and every defender of the sky who protects Ukraine against enemy aircraft and missiles, on behalf of our tank men who fight to restore our Ukrainian borders, on behalf of our conscripts who are being trained now including here in Britain.
“Thank you, Britain.”
The Ukrainian President also took a moment to thank friend Boris Johnson.
Zelensky said: “London has stood with Kyiv since day one, from the first seconds and minutes of the full-scale war, Great Britain you extended your helping hand when the world had not yet come to understand how to react.
“Boris – you got others united when it seemed absolutely impossible. Thank you.”
He added: “All of you, you all showed your grit and character. Strong British character.
“You didn’t compromise Ukraine, and hence you didn’t compromise your ideals and thus you didn’t compromise the spirit of these great islands.”
GB News
Walking alongside Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Zelensky received a rapturous applause and cheering from the crowd.
Speaking of his first meeting with the Ukrainian President, Hoyle said: “We hit it off immediately.”
Ahead of Zelensky’s address in Parliament, Sunak and Starmer staged a show of unity at Prime Minister’s Questions, with both speaking in support of the UK’s support for Ukraine.
Sir Keir said “Putin and all his cronies must stand at the Hague and face justice” when the war is over.
Sunak said he had discussed the situation with Mr Zelensky and “I’m hopeful we will see the first indictments very shortly” at the International Criminal Court.
