Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the British people on Wednesday for their support since “Day One” of Russia's invasion, as he addressed UK Lawmakers during a rare trip outside his country to seek more support.
“I have come here and stand before you on behalf of the brave,” the president said, paying tribute to Ukraine's military. "I thank you for your bravery. ... London has stood with Kyiv since Day One.”
House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said that lawmakers were honoured that Zelenskyy had put himself at risk to make the address.
Zelenskyy's daring to visit Britain in a bid for more advanced weapons comes as Kyiv braces for an expected Russian offensive and hatches its own plans to retake land held by Moscow's forces. Hundreds of lawmakers and parliamentary staff packed the 900-year-old Westminster Hall, the oldest — and unheated — part of Parliament for Zelenskyy's speech. It was only his second confirmed journey outside Ukraine since Russia invaded nearly a year ago.
Zelenskyy has rallied support for his country repeatedly through such speeches — mostly given remotely — to Western lawmakers. Support from allies has helped Ukraine mount a surprisingly stiff defense — and now the two sides are engaged in grinding battles.
The Ukrainian leader arrived on a Royal Air Force plane in London on Wednesday. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak greeted him on the tarmac, tweeting a photo of him embracing the Ukrainian leader. “The United Kingdom was one of the first to come to Ukraine's aid. And today I'm in London to personally thank the British people for their support,” Zelenskyy said on Instagram. A large convoy of vehicles left the airport and headed straight to Downing Street in central London. Both leaders posed briefly for photos in front of the famous black door that leads into the U.K. Prime minister's residence.
The U.K. Is one of the biggest military backers of Ukraine and has sent the country more than 2 billion pounds ($2.5 billion) in weapons and equipment.
The visit comes as Sunak announced that Britain will train Ukrainian pilots on “NATO-standard fighter jets.” Ukraine has urged its allies to send jets, though the U.K. Says it's not practical to provide the Ukrainian military with British warplanes.
More than 10,000 Ukrainian troops have also been trained at bases in the U.K., some on the Challenger 2 tanks that Britain is sending.
“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 said.