Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky wowed British MPs on Wednesday during his visit to Britain, which continues in Paris on Thursday. “Victory will change the world,” he proposed, dressed in a military suit, when he asked for fighter planes, “wings for freedom” in the conflict against Russia.
A comedian turned into the new Winston Churchill, with powerful and moving oratory. In the same packed Westminster Hall where Queen Elizabeth was on display during her funeral, the United House of Commons and Lords gathered to listen, applaud, take pictures and join him in his fight.
There were Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his predecessor Boris Johnson, with the country’s most prestigious MPs and women MPs at the forefront.
Dressed in military attire, Zelensky thanked Boris Johnson for his support. In the afternoon, was received by King Carlos III, an Air Force pilot, to which he will press on with his request for planes, even though Britain does not have many to offer him. The Tornadoes were sold by the British government to Germany.
In a sign of Britain’s importance to the war effort, it is only the third country Zelensky has visited during the conflict. In December he went to Washington to meet with President Joe Biden, then to Poland.
“Evil” and “Human Nature”
Zelensky urged the UK to send fighter jets to Ukraine as he addresses MPs in Westminster. The Ukrainian president praised Boris Johnson and thanked MPs for showing “a strong British character”.
In addition, it issued Advertising about letting evil “mature”. The Ukrainian president specified what could happen. He said this is within human nature. This evil “destroys and kills, attacks and breaks people’s lives.” But the United Kingdom and Ukraine “have already fought this evil together,” the president noted.
Zelenskyj has specified that he does not say that there will be no more wars, as it is in human nature. But it is “in our power to guarantee in word and deed that the light side of human nature will prevail.”
He then concluded his speech by saying that two years ago he left Parliament thanking for the “delicious English tea”. He now thanks the UK in advance for the “mighty British planes”.
“God bless Britain and long live the king. Slava Ukraini,” he said goodbye. Those present gave him a standing ovation.
Zelensky called for fighter jets, wings for freedom. President Zelensky said they were looking forward to victory day, but until then the evil is still here.
“We pay with our lives, with the lives of our heroes who risk life or death every day,” he said.
Shortly before being received by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, the Ukrainian leader said it will be “a very special moment”. And he announced that he was going to tell him, “In Britain, the king is an air force pilot and today in Ukraine every air force pilot is a king.”
The Ukrainian president made it clear that this “coalition of friends” it will be necessary in the future to prevent attacks in other regions.
He praised the UK for providing Ukraine with arms to protect the lives of children, civilians, women, the elderly and citizens from Russia’s “heinous occupation and missile terror”.
Zelensky said he is “proud” of his aviation, but his pilots need planes to fight the war. After presenting a Ukrainian pilot’s helmet to the Speaker of the House of Commons, he again called for planes, saying the words on the side of the helmet he will hand over to Charles III read: “We have freedom, give us wings to protect it.” “.
“I am confident that this symbol will help us with our next coalition, the aeronautical coalition. Wings for freedom,” he repeated.
Zelensky welcomed this air defense coalition, the sanctions package against Russia and the coalition of values within the G7.
Also to the UK for their help in paving the way for a special tribunal for the Russian crime of aggression and a special compensation mechanism.
The Ukrainian president must wage war with European and American help. His weapons are not enough and he has to fight against the resistance of Germany, France, the UN itself, whose director general Alfredo Guterres warns of a globalization of war to give him the dropper.
The Ukrainian president thanked the UK for sending tanks and long-range missiles which he says will force Russia to “completely withdraw”. Germany will soon offer Leopard tanks.
The peace “opens the way for a new world history,” Zelensky said.
“Whoever knows how to help quickly, be effective in defense, uphold his principles in dark hours, apply his treaties in good faith, not grant immunity to the guilty, knows how to overcome an abused veto, knows no fear and knows how to win.
President Zelensky once again thanked the MPs for their “courage” in the face of the Russian war.
“London has been with Kiev since day one, from the first seconds and minutes of the war, reaching out a hand when the world did not yet know how to react,” he described.
Addressing former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, he thanked him for bringing other countries behind Ukraine, saying the MPs “showed their courage and their character then – a strong British character”.
The Ukrainian leader described how countries have worked together throughout their histories to “enjoy the peace”.
Meeting with Rishi Sunak
As part of their talks and after receiving him in front of the plane, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak offered to extend British training of Ukrainian forces to Marines and fighter pilots. Britain has trained 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers in the past six months.
Zelenski told 10 Downing St: “Thank you so much Rishi for hosting me. It is a great honor for me to be here in Britain”. He thanked the British for their “great support” from the first day of the war, adding: “We are proud, indeed, and have excellent relations with Rishi”.
The Ukrainian president became the first foreign leader to address lawmakers on video in March last year, shortly after the Russian invasion, with an emotional speech that received a sustained standing ovation. Then I planned visit Ukrainian troops in training with the British Prime Minister.
“President Zelensky’s visit to the UK is a testament to his country’s courage, determination and struggle and a testament to the unshakeable friendship between our two countries,” Prime Minister Sunak said.
“Since 2014, the UK has provided vital training to Ukrainian forces, enabling them to defend their country, protect their sovereignty and fight for their territory. I’m proud that we’re expanding that lineup today. It underscores our commitment to not just short-term military equipment supplies, but a long-term promise to stand side-by-side with Ukraine for years to come,” she said.
united parliament
During a bipartisan question session by the prime minister, in which Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer pledged full support for Ukraine’s war effort, Sunak said he was “proud that we came together to support Ukraine when the moment mattered”. He added: “We will continue to stand with them, united as one Parliament and one United Kingdom.”
Labor leader Keir Starmer also stressed that support for Ukraine transcends party divisions. “It is imperative that we all stand together to fully support Ukraine,” he said. “In this house we must speak with one voice and say that this terrible conflict must end with Putin’s defeat in Ukraine.”
Trial in The Hague of Vladimir Putin
Sir Keir Starmer, a Labor leader, renowned human rights lawyer and former Crown prosecutor, said Russian President Vladimir Putin “must be tried” at the International Court in The Hague.
Starmer urged the prime minister to ensure that “Putin and all his cronies must be in The Hague and face justice”.
Sunak replied that the Labor leader was “absolutely right that we have to hold them accountable for the horrific crimes what they have done”.
There were some muffled boos from Conservative benches as Starmer said Labor’s commitment to NATO had been “unwavering”. Jeremy Corbyn, Starmer’s predecessor, has been a vocal critic of the alliance.
Starmer said: “As a country, we have always been at our best when faced with tyrannical aggressors who threaten their neighbors and the peace on our continent. This is why the Labor Party helped found NATO and why our commitment to NATO is as unwavering today as it was then.”
The Labor leader added: “Whatever differences we may have, whatever difficulties we face as a country, we have a duty in this house.”
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.