Zelensky is in Westminster Hall to address Parliament
BBCCopyright: BBC
President Zelensky is on stage in Westminster Hall.
He arrived to rapturous applause that continued as he stood on stage.
The Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle is now speaking.
Boris Johnson sitting at the front for Zelensky
Chris Mason
Political editor
Boris Johnson has arrived in Westminster Hall and been
taken to the front. Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are standing next to each other.
Crowds are awaiting the arrival of President Zelensky.
The audience
are all standing, shoulder to shoulder, often in scarves and coats.
BBCCopyright: BBC
MPs, peers, media and clergy packed together to hear from Ukraine's leader
Brian Wheeler
Reporting from Westminster Hall
It’s hard to estimate the size of the crowd gathered in
Westminster Hall ahead of President Zelensky’s speech but it is jam-packed.
MPs, peers, journalists, clergy and assorted dignitaries
are all squashed together beneath the high medieval hammer-beam arches.
Everyone is standing - no rows of seats have been laid out as at former big occasions.
There is a real sense of anticipation building and it’s hard to think of another world leader who would
pull this sort of crowd.
A few are taking pictures with their phones - not that
there is a great deal to see at the moment other than a podium set up on the
steps of the ancient hall.
Photography is normally frowned on by the parliamentary
authorities but no one seems to mind.
MPs await President Zelensky in Westminster Hall
BBCCopyright: BBC
MPs are crowding into Westminster Hall and are awaiting for the star of the show to arrive.
President Zelensky has arrived outside Westminster Hall and is being ushered in.
He's due to speak at 1pm. Stay with us as we bring you what he says.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Analysis
Zelensky in UK: Why Now?
Frank Gardner
BBC News, Security Correspondent
This is a critical time in the Ukraine war. The first anniversary of
Russia’s invasion is only 16 days away and Moscow badly needs a victory.
It now
has hundreds of thousands of mobilised troops and reserves massing close to the
eastern front in the Donbas in preparation for a coming spring offensive.
Most
of them have had only basic training and their equipment is old and outdated. But there is a strength in numbers and the Kremlin is hoping to overwhelm
Ukraine’s defensive lines before it has time to deploy the promised Western
battle tanks.
President Zelensky is acutely aware of the need to keep his Western backers engaged in this war lest ‘compassion fatigue’ kicks in and the
supply of arms and financial aid dries up.
He takes a risk every time he
travels anywhere and the UK is only the third country he’s visited since the
start of the war, the others being the US and Poland.
But, he knows that his
powerful charisma and persuasive rhetoric can translate directly into the
military aid packages Ukraine relies on.
If those were to stop then Ukrainians
would have little to no hope of ever pushing the Russian troops out of their
country.
Zelensky visit gives PMQs a different tone
There was really only one theme at prime minister's questions this week, and that was Ukraine:
Sir Keir Starmer said Labour's commitment to Nato and Ukraine was steadfast, and said MPs must speak with one voice on the topic, to show how the country is united behind the Ukrainian cause
PM Rishi Sunak agreed, and said the UK's objective was to see Ukraine victorious on the battlefield this year. He said Putin's aggression in the country won't stand
BBC Political Editor Chris Mason says this gave Prime Minister's Questions "a different tone" this week, giving the exchanges a more consensual feel
However, the SNP's Stephen Flynn took a slightly different approach, asking if Sunak regretted Liz Truss' time in office. Sunak responded to say he was "grateful" to all his predecessors "for their contribution to public life"
Sir Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat leader, called on Sunak to proscribe the private mercenary Wagner Group, used by Russia in warfare. Sunak said the UK had already sanctioned the Wagner Group in its entirety, but he couldn't discuss proscriptions publically
PMQs over as MPs head to Westminster Hall
UK ParliamentCopyright: UK Parliament
That's it, PMQs is over for another week.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has suspended the sitting of the Commons to allow MPs time to walk to Westminster Hall to hear an address by President Zelensky.
The Hall is a symbolic part of Parliament, which has heard many famous speeches from international figures over the years.
Stay tuned for live updates when it starts.
Sunak to mark year anniversary of Russia invading Ukraine
UK ParliamentCopyright: UK Parliament
Conservative MP Vicky Ford asks the PM to call for a national minute of silence on 24 February, to mark one year of Russia's "barbaric" war in Ukraine.
Sunak thanks the MP for her suggestion and says he's sure it's something the government is considering as we speak.
"There will be many other ways we can mark that moment, not least as an international community continuing to show united condemnation and isolation of Russia," he tells the Commons.
Away from Ukraine, Sunak asked about social care staff shortages
While most of this week's PMQs session has focused on Ukraine, we are also hearing about other issues facing parts of the UK.
Lib Dem MP for Bath Wera Hobhouse asks about social care problems in her area, saying there is a social care workforce crisis and asks the PM if he supports a Lib Dem proposal to pay a higher minimum wage to tackle social care shortages.
Sunak says the government recently announced £14bn more for health and social care. Part of that will go to a new discharge system, he says.
Meanwhile, back to Ukraine, Tory MP Karen Bradley asks Sunak to thank people who've helped to welcome Ukrainian refugees in her constituency.
Sunak does so, saying President Zelensky told him this morning how grateful he was.
WATCH: Sunak and Starmer welcome Zelensky to UK
Video content
Video caption: Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer praise the Ukrainian leader at PMQsRishi Sunak and Keir Starmer praise the Ukrainian leader at PMQs
Sunak quizzed on status of Wagner Group
Over to Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey now, who says the UK has "total support" for Ukraine in their fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He says President Zelensky previously requested that the UK treats Russia as a "terrorist state", before going on to condemn the private mercenary Wagner Group being used by Russia.
He says the organisation is "doing the government's bidding" and is "carrying out atrocities against Ukrainians on a daily basis". It should be proscribed, Davey says, asking if this will be done.
Sunak says the UK "has already sanctioned the Wagner Group in its entirety", as well as its leaders. He says he can't discuss proscriptions in public, but it is something continuously kept under review.
Analysis
Unity on rare show as Ukraine dominates PMQs
Iain Watson
Political correspondent
Unity - a rare commodity at PMQs - broke out across the
Commons floor, with the entirety of the exchanges between Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak focused unsurprisingly on Ukraine.
Starmer's task was to sound supportive and yet distinctive. At times he suggested what seemed on the surface like a tougher
stance - for example, demanding Putin
and "his cronies" should be tried in The Hague.
But in truth little divided the
Oppostion and the government on this issue - with Rishi Sunak saying he had
discussed the role of the International Criminal Court with President Zelensky
only this morning. And Sir Keir's call for the use of frozen Russian assets to
be used to help rebuild Ukraine was met with the PM stressing his government's imposition of sanctions on Russia.
Starmer steered clear of criticising the government's
domestic defence policies too. But while he didn't politically attack the PM head-on, he
did use PMQs to emphasise his party's "unshakeable" commitment to Nato - which
is seen by his allies as a means of underlining the distance between himself
and his predecessor as Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn.
Sunak praises current state of UK economy
Video content
Video caption: WATCH; SNP calls on Sunak to apologies for Truss era as PMWATCH; SNP calls on Sunak to apologies for Truss era as PM
Flynn urges Sunak to "reflect upon the damage caused" when Truss was PM.
He says: "£30bn has been wiped off the UK economy, pension funds have been brought to the brink of collapse and the pound reaching parity with the dollar and interest rates for mortgage holders soaring."
He adds that Truss won't apologise for the damage caused and asks if Sunak will apologise for her on behalf of the Tory party.
Sunak says he admitted mistakes had been made when he entered No 10, before going on to praise the current position of the country.
He says the pound is at a multi-month high, borrowing costs are restored, the economy is stabilised and the Tories are focused on a clear plan to half inflation and grow the economy.
SNP ask if Sunak regrets Truss' time in office
UK ParliamentCopyright: UK Parliament
Stephen Flynn, of the SNP, adds to the condolences being offered to families affected by the earthquakes in Turkey. He also welcomes President Zelensky to the UK.
Rather than focusing on Ukraine, Flynn instead questions Sunak on whether he regrets the previous prime minister's time in office.
It comes after Liz Truss' much-discussed article in the Sunday Telegraph over the weekend.
Sunak answers by saying he is "grateful to all his predecessors for their contribution to public life".
UK will support Ukraine until the end, Sunak pledges
Sunak agrees, saying Britain is Ukraine's leading European ally in Nato, and is increasing its funding of the armed forces.
He ends the exchange by saying the country will stand united with Ukraine until the defeat of Putin’s "unprovoked aggression" is secured.
It's now over to the SNP's Westminster leader and backbench MPs.
Starmer: UK at its best when promoting European peace
For his final question, Starmer says the UK is "always at its best" when it is promoting peace on the European continent.
He says that's why Labour was the main force behind the founding of Nato, and will always support it.
The Labour leader says the UK must continue to "stand on the shoulders of giants" and support Ukraine.
UK working to ensure Ukraine reconstruction funded properly - Sunak
Sunak responds by saying the UK took the lead in imposing economic sanctions on Russian entities.
He says he's ensured the provision of funds in the UK will be put in a foundation for reconstruction in Ukraine.
The UK is working with international partners to use those assets to fund Ukrainian reconstruction, he tells Starmer.
Should Russia pay for destruction it has caused, Starmer asks
Sticking with Ukraine, Starmer says he "doesn't just hope for Ukraine's victory, we believe in its victory".
He asks about the reconstruction of Ukraine and questions the prime minister on whether he thinks Russia should pay for the destruction it has caused through the "wealth-lying assets" blocked in sanctions.
Sunak: Russian war crimes are 'horrific'
UK ParliamentCopyright: UK Parliament
Sunak agrees with Starmer that Russian crimes in Ukraine have been "horrific".
He says the UK is proud to have shown leadership in financial and technical support for the International Criminal Court in bringing Russian war criminals to justice.
He hopes the first indictments will follow soon, he adds.
Starmer turns to war crimes
Starmer now says he previously had responsibility in The Hague for fighting on behalf of victims from Serbian aggression.
He asks if the prime minister agrees that those who have committed crimes must be held accountable.
Live Reporting
Edited by Jamie Whitehead
All times stated are UK
Zelensky is in Westminster Hall to address Parliament
President Zelensky is on stage in Westminster Hall.
He arrived to rapturous applause that continued as he stood on stage.
The Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle is now speaking.
Boris Johnson sitting at the front for Zelensky
Chris Mason
Political editor
Boris Johnson has arrived in Westminster Hall and been taken to the front. Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are standing next to each other.
Crowds are awaiting the arrival of President Zelensky.
The audience are all standing, shoulder to shoulder, often in scarves and coats.
MPs, peers, media and clergy packed together to hear from Ukraine's leader
Brian Wheeler
Reporting from Westminster Hall
It’s hard to estimate the size of the crowd gathered in Westminster Hall ahead of President Zelensky’s speech but it is jam-packed.
MPs, peers, journalists, clergy and assorted dignitaries are all squashed together beneath the high medieval hammer-beam arches.
Everyone is standing - no rows of seats have been laid out as at former big occasions.
There is a real sense of anticipation building and it’s hard to think of another world leader who would pull this sort of crowd.
A few are taking pictures with their phones - not that there is a great deal to see at the moment other than a podium set up on the steps of the ancient hall.
Photography is normally frowned on by the parliamentary authorities but no one seems to mind.
MPs await President Zelensky in Westminster Hall
MPs are crowding into Westminster Hall and are awaiting for the star of the show to arrive.
President Zelensky has arrived outside Westminster Hall and is being ushered in.
He's due to speak at 1pm. Stay with us as we bring you what he says.
Zelensky in UK: Why Now?
Frank Gardner
BBC News, Security Correspondent
This is a critical time in the Ukraine war. The first anniversary of Russia’s invasion is only 16 days away and Moscow badly needs a victory.
It now has hundreds of thousands of mobilised troops and reserves massing close to the eastern front in the Donbas in preparation for a coming spring offensive.
Most of them have had only basic training and their equipment is old and outdated. But there is a strength in numbers and the Kremlin is hoping to overwhelm Ukraine’s defensive lines before it has time to deploy the promised Western battle tanks.
President Zelensky is acutely aware of the need to keep his Western backers engaged in this war lest ‘compassion fatigue’ kicks in and the supply of arms and financial aid dries up.
He takes a risk every time he travels anywhere and the UK is only the third country he’s visited since the start of the war, the others being the US and Poland.
But, he knows that his powerful charisma and persuasive rhetoric can translate directly into the military aid packages Ukraine relies on.
If those were to stop then Ukrainians would have little to no hope of ever pushing the Russian troops out of their country.
Zelensky visit gives PMQs a different tone
There was really only one theme at prime minister's questions this week, and that was Ukraine:
PMQs over as MPs head to Westminster Hall
That's it, PMQs is over for another week.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has suspended the sitting of the Commons to allow MPs time to walk to Westminster Hall to hear an address by President Zelensky.
The Hall is a symbolic part of Parliament, which has heard many famous speeches from international figures over the years.
Stay tuned for live updates when it starts.
Sunak to mark year anniversary of Russia invading Ukraine
Conservative MP Vicky Ford asks the PM to call for a national minute of silence on 24 February, to mark one year of Russia's "barbaric" war in Ukraine.
Sunak thanks the MP for her suggestion and says he's sure it's something the government is considering as we speak.
"There will be many other ways we can mark that moment, not least as an international community continuing to show united condemnation and isolation of Russia," he tells the Commons.
Away from Ukraine, Sunak asked about social care staff shortages
While most of this week's PMQs session has focused on Ukraine, we are also hearing about other issues facing parts of the UK.
Lib Dem MP for Bath Wera Hobhouse asks about social care problems in her area, saying there is a social care workforce crisis and asks the PM if he supports a Lib Dem proposal to pay a higher minimum wage to tackle social care shortages.
Sunak says the government recently announced £14bn more for health and social care. Part of that will go to a new discharge system, he says.
Meanwhile, back to Ukraine, Tory MP Karen Bradley asks Sunak to thank people who've helped to welcome Ukrainian refugees in her constituency.
Sunak does so, saying President Zelensky told him this morning how grateful he was.
WATCH: Sunak and Starmer welcome Zelensky to UK
Video content
Sunak quizzed on status of Wagner Group
Over to Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey now, who says the UK has "total support" for Ukraine in their fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He says President Zelensky previously requested that the UK treats Russia as a "terrorist state", before going on to condemn the private mercenary Wagner Group being used by Russia.
He says the organisation is "doing the government's bidding" and is "carrying out atrocities against Ukrainians on a daily basis". It should be proscribed, Davey says, asking if this will be done.
Sunak says the UK "has already sanctioned the Wagner Group in its entirety", as well as its leaders. He says he can't discuss proscriptions in public, but it is something continuously kept under review.
Unity on rare show as Ukraine dominates PMQs
Iain Watson
Political correspondent
Unity - a rare commodity at PMQs - broke out across the Commons floor, with the entirety of the exchanges between Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak focused unsurprisingly on Ukraine.
Starmer's task was to sound supportive and yet distinctive. At times he suggested what seemed on the surface like a tougher stance - for example, demanding Putin and "his cronies" should be tried in The Hague.
But in truth little divided the Oppostion and the government on this issue - with Rishi Sunak saying he had discussed the role of the International Criminal Court with President Zelensky only this morning. And Sir Keir's call for the use of frozen Russian assets to be used to help rebuild Ukraine was met with the PM stressing his government's imposition of sanctions on Russia.
Starmer steered clear of criticising the government's domestic defence policies too. But while he didn't politically attack the PM head-on, he did use PMQs to emphasise his party's "unshakeable" commitment to Nato - which is seen by his allies as a means of underlining the distance between himself and his predecessor as Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn.
Sunak praises current state of UK economy
Video content
Flynn urges Sunak to "reflect upon the damage caused" when Truss was PM.
He says: "£30bn has been wiped off the UK economy, pension funds have been brought to the brink of collapse and the pound reaching parity with the dollar and interest rates for mortgage holders soaring."
He adds that Truss won't apologise for the damage caused and asks if Sunak will apologise for her on behalf of the Tory party.
Sunak says he admitted mistakes had been made when he entered No 10, before going on to praise the current position of the country.
He says the pound is at a multi-month high, borrowing costs are restored, the economy is stabilised and the Tories are focused on a clear plan to half inflation and grow the economy.
SNP ask if Sunak regrets Truss' time in office
Stephen Flynn, of the SNP, adds to the condolences being offered to families affected by the earthquakes in Turkey. He also welcomes President Zelensky to the UK.
Rather than focusing on Ukraine, Flynn instead questions Sunak on whether he regrets the previous prime minister's time in office.
It comes after Liz Truss' much-discussed article in the Sunday Telegraph over the weekend.
Sunak answers by saying he is "grateful to all his predecessors for their contribution to public life".
UK will support Ukraine until the end, Sunak pledges
Sunak agrees, saying Britain is Ukraine's leading European ally in Nato, and is increasing its funding of the armed forces.
He ends the exchange by saying the country will stand united with Ukraine until the defeat of Putin’s "unprovoked aggression" is secured.
It's now over to the SNP's Westminster leader and backbench MPs.
Starmer: UK at its best when promoting European peace
For his final question, Starmer says the UK is "always at its best" when it is promoting peace on the European continent.
He says that's why Labour was the main force behind the founding of Nato, and will always support it.
The Labour leader says the UK must continue to "stand on the shoulders of giants" and support Ukraine.
UK working to ensure Ukraine reconstruction funded properly - Sunak
Sunak responds by saying the UK took the lead in imposing economic sanctions on Russian entities.
He says he's ensured the provision of funds in the UK will be put in a foundation for reconstruction in Ukraine.
The UK is working with international partners to use those assets to fund Ukrainian reconstruction, he tells Starmer.
Should Russia pay for destruction it has caused, Starmer asks
Sticking with Ukraine, Starmer says he "doesn't just hope for Ukraine's victory, we believe in its victory".
He asks about the reconstruction of Ukraine and questions the prime minister on whether he thinks Russia should pay for the destruction it has caused through the "wealth-lying assets" blocked in sanctions.
Sunak: Russian war crimes are 'horrific'
Sunak agrees with Starmer that Russian crimes in Ukraine have been "horrific".
He says the UK is proud to have shown leadership in financial and technical support for the International Criminal Court in bringing Russian war criminals to justice.
He hopes the first indictments will follow soon, he adds.
Starmer turns to war crimes
Starmer now says he previously had responsibility in The Hague for fighting on behalf of victims from Serbian aggression.
He asks if the prime minister agrees that those who have committed crimes must be held accountable.