The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in the UK and has met with the Prime Minister and MPs and thanked the “British people” for supporting Ukraine “since day one” of the war starting on 24 February 2022.
Zelensky briefed Rishi Sunak on the situation on the ground in Ukraine whilst visiting N10 Downing Street on Wednesday afternoon.
N10 said that President Zelensky “expressed gratitude to the British people and personally to Rishi Sunak” for our support to Ukraine and he described the UK as a “reliable partner and friend.”
He said, “I thank you for your efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities, for the humanitarian and financial assistance provided after the beginning of full-scale aggression, for supporting Ukrainians who were forced to flee their homes because of the Russian war.”
Both Sunak and Zelensky also discussed many issues which includes “the possibility of involving the British side in the post-war reconstruction of our country.”
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President Zelensky then gave a rousing speech in Parliament’s Westminster Hall where hundreds of MPs stood and they were all thanked for their “bravery.”
President Zelensky told MPs, “London has stood with Kyiv since day one, since the first seconds and minutes of the war… extended a helping hand when the world had not yet come to understand how to react.
“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.”
He told the MPs in Westminster that victory for Ukraine will change the world which will deter future dictators and aggressors and said that in past conflicts “evil lost” and he knows “freedom will win.”
He continued, “The United Kingdom is marching with us towards the most important victory of our lifetime, it will be a victory over the very idea of the war.”
Ending his speech President Zelensky said “God bless Great Britain and long live the King. Slava Ukraini” and he was met with a huge around of applause.
