In a dramatic speech before the British Parliament, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy advocated for fighter jets to assure his country’s victory over Russia. He also thanked the British people for their support since “Day One” of Moscow’s invasion. The courageous voyage of the embattled leader to the United Kingdom in search of more advanced weapons comes as Ukraine prepares for an anticipated Russian offensive and crafts its own plans to reclaim territory held by Moscow’s forces.
Support from Western friends has been crucial to Ukraine’s surprisingly robust defense thus far, and now both sides are engaged in bloody fighting.
Hundreds of politicians and legislative employees attended Zelenskyy’s address in the 900-year-old, unheated Westminster Hall, the oldest part of Parliament. It was his second confirmed trip outside of Ukraine since Russia seized the country over a year ago.
After addressing legislators in Westminster Hall on February 8, 2023 in London, England, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gives a peace sign as he is applauded by Lord McFall (L) and Sir Lindsay Hoyle (R) of the Houses of Lords and Commons, respectively. Getty Pictures
Zelenskyy, sporting his signature olive-drab sweater, pleaded with allies to give his country fighter jets, describing them as “wings for freedom.”
The president, who was scheduled to meet with King Charles III later, remarked that the British monarch was a licensed military pilot.
Zekenskyy stated, “The king is an Air Force pilot, and in modern-day Ukraine, every Air Force pilot is a king.”
He gave a gift of a Ukrainian Air Force helmet inscribed with the message “We have freedom” by a Ukrainian pilot. Give us wings to safeguard it!”
In earlier wars, “evil lost,” Zekenskyy warned lawmakers. We are aware that Russia will lose and that victory will alter the world.
In addition, he demanded harsher sanctions on Moscow until “Russia is deprived of any possibility to finance this war.”
He stated that he was addressing on behalf of his country’s courageous citizens and praised the British for their bravery.
“London has stood with Kyiv since Day One,” he remarked, presenting a battle helmet as a thank you.
Numerous times, Zelenskyy has elicited support for his nation through remote talks to Western legislators.
Wednesday, the Ukrainian leader landed in London on a Royal Air Force aircraft. On the tarmac, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak received the Ukrainian leader and tweeted a snap of their embrace.
Welcome to the United Kingdom, @ZelenskyyUa President.
#SlavaUkraini picture: rMoBTC3ken on Twitter
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) February 8, 2023
“The United Kingdom was among the first to assist Ukraine. “Today, I am in London to personally thank the British people for their support,” Zelenskyy wrote on Instagram.
A big convoy departed the airport and drove directly to Downing Street in downtown London. Both leaders sat momentarily for photographs in front of the iconic black door that leads to the mansion of the British prime minister.
The United Kingdom is one of the largest military supporters of Ukraine, having provided the country around $2.5 billion in weaponry and equipment.
The visit coincides with Sunak’s announcement that Britain will train Ukrainian pilots on “NATO-standard fighter jets.” Ukraine has begged its allies to deploy jets, but the United Kingdom has stated that providing the Ukrainian military with British warplanes is impractical.
More than 10,000 Ukrainian troops have also been trained on Challenger 2 tanks that Britain is deploying to British bases.
A British Challenger 2 tank maneuvers during the Winter Camp 23 military exercises on February 5, 2023, near Tapa, Estonia. Pavel Golovkin/AP
“I am proud that today we will expand that training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests well into the future,” Sunak added.
Concurrently with the visit, the British government issued a new set of penalties against six firms that, according to Britain, supplied the Russian military with equipment.
Among those sanctioned was CST, a maker of Russian drones and parts for helicopters used against Ukraine. Five persons associated with the luxurious mansions of Russian President Vladimir Putin were also targeted, including Boris Titov and the owner of Aerostart, Viktor Myachin.
In March, two weeks after the invasion’s beginning, Zelenskyy addressed the British Parliament electronically. He recalled Winston Churchill’s famous “never surrender” statement from World War II, pledging that Ukrainians “would fight until the finish on land, sea, and in the air. We will continue to defend our land regardless of the cost.”
Before Sunak gained office, Zelenskyy forged a relationship with Boris Johnson, one of Ukraine’s most outspoken supporters during Johnson’s tenure as prime minister. Since assuming power in October, Sunak has committed to preserve the United Kingdom’s support.
In December Zelenskyy visited the United States. Before prospective spring offensives by both Russia and Ukraine, he may demand Western commitments of more modern weapons on Wednesday. During his visit, Zelenskyy will also meet with King Charles III and U.K. military leaders.
The Ukrainian captain exchanges thanksgiving presents with President Biden at 2:51
There were growing anticipation in Brussels that the Ukrainian leader will also make his first post-war visit to European Union institutions.
On Thursday, leaders from the 27-nation union will convene in Brussels for a summit. This would allow Zelenskyy to meet with all of the bloc’s senior leaders in a single day. Zelenskyy has frequently only addressed EU summits via video call from Ukraine.
Following Zelenskyy’s journey to Britain, the EU legislature has scheduled a special plenary session in Brussels for Thursday in the hopes that he will attend.
The London visit occurred as Russian forces bombarded eastern Ukraine with increased artillery fire, according to Ukrainian officials. Kyiv authorities believe this is part of a new push by the Kremlin’s forces prior to the anniversary of the invasion.
A 74-year-old woman was killed and a 16-year-old girl was injured in the border town of Vovchansk, according to the local governor, Oleh Syniehubov. Russian forces began significant shelling attacks on villages along the front line in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region the day before.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that Russian forces in Ukraine are concentrating their efforts on “waging a counteroffensive” in the country’s industrial east, with the goal of seizing full control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that comprise the Donbas.
According to Ukrainian sources, Russian troops conducted attacks near Bakhmut and Vuhledar, two mining towns in the Donetsk region that have been among Moscow’s primary targets.
The “lies” that led Russian mercenaries to Ukraine, according to Russian mercenaries. 03:01
The capture of Bakhmut might significantly impair the military supply channels of Ukraine. It would also allow Moscow’s forces to advance on Donetsk’s main Ukrainian strongholds.
The goal of the Kremlin, according to Ukrainian authorities, is to gain complete control of the Donbas, a vast industrial region bordering Russia. After months of losses, this would offer Russian President Vladimir Putin a significant victory on the battlefield and help him galvanize popular support for the conflict.
According to military observers, despite a Ukrainian counteroffensive that began last summer and retook vast portions of territory from Russia, the war has been rather stagnant in recent months.
Moscow believes Ukraine is preparing its own military offensive.
The Russian-installed commander of the occupied Luhansk region stated on Wednesday that the situation in certain places is “very difficult” due to Kiev’s preparations for a counteroffensive.
Leonid Pasechnik stated on Russian state television that the situation surrounding a critical Russian supply route is “very difficult” “Unfortunately, the enemy is accumulating sufficient reserves there, forces to counterattack, to return the lost territories,” he stated.
It was impossible to verify the two parties’ assertions.
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