Zelensky in the UK: War-torn President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been raising his voice against Russia’s ruthless war, has arrived in the United Kingdom, where he urges Her Majesty to provide her air force with “wings” to ensure Ukraine’s independence.
Zelensky, who stepped outside the war-torn country for the second time on Wednesday, was greeted with applause, cheers and chants of “Slava Ukraini” – “Glory to Ukraine” upon his arrival in parliament. As he entered Parliament, widespread support was seen as MPs from both the Conservative government and opposition parties cheered his courage with claps and salutes.
Addressing hundreds of MPs and parliamentary staff at the 900-year-old Westminster Hall, Zelensky raised his voice for his country’s independence and urged UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to provide lethal weapons, including warplanes and tanks, to rival forces can be defeated.
It is worth noting that London initially showed reluctance to deliver the deadly weapon to Kyiv, but was later convinced by Western leaders. Zelensky, who donned his trademark olive drab sweatshirt, urged allies to send the jets to his country, saying the fighters would be “wings of freedom”.
While delivering his speech, Zelensky presented the Speaker of the House of Commons with a Ukrainian Air Force helmet on which a Ukrainian pilot had written: “We have freedom. Give us wings to defend it.”
Zelensky thanks Johnson for his continued support from “day one”
Zelensky thanked Sunak and his predecessor, Boris Johnson, who was a staunch supporter of Ukraine when he was prime minister. Sunak took office in October and pledged to maintain Britain’s support. Zelensky said, “Boris, you united others when it seemed absolutely impossible.”
He also urged stronger sanctions against Moscow until “Russia is deprived of any possibility to finance this war.” Zelensky said he was speaking on behalf of Ukrainians and thanked the people of Britain for their bravery. “London has stood with Kyiv from day one,” he said.
Zelensky, who met with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, said the British monarch was a qualified military pilot. “The king is an Air Force pilot,” Zechensky said, and “in Ukraine today, every Air Force pilot is a king.”
Read also: Putin’s message to Ukraine: “Russia’s victory in Kyiv is inevitable”