Summary

  • Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is speaking alongside PM Rishi Sunak in Dorset, at the end of a surprise visit to the UK

  • Zelensky is asking for the UK to provide fighter jets to Ukraine - something Western allies have so far declined to do

  • Sunak tells the news conference that "nothing is off the table" and jets remain "part of the conversation"

  • "We have freedom, give us wings to protect it," Zelensky earlier urged a joint session of the UK Parliament at Westminster Hall

  • Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has been tasked with investigating what planes the UK may be able to provide, according to Downing Street

  • However the spokesperson stressed that this would be a "long-term" option

  • Zelensky also met King Charles earlier, who told him: "We've all been worried about you and thinking about your country"

  • It is Zelensky's first visit to the UK since Russia invaded his country, and his second international trip since the war began

  1. WATCH: Zelensky - On behalf of Ukrainians, thank you Britainpublished at 13:50 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    Media caption,

    President Zelensky thanks the UK for its support in the war against Russia.

  2. Zelensky greets party leaderspublished at 13:45 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    Zelensky shakes hands with Sunak

    Zelensky's address has finished, he's now shaking hands with Sunak and Starmer.

    All MPs are on their feet applauding the Ukrainian president, who'll soon head to Buckingham Palace to sit down with the King.

  3. Zelensky says thanks "in advance for powerful English planes"published at 13:40 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    We're nearing the end of Zelensky's speech now, who says two years ago when he visited the UK Parliament, "I thanked you for delicious English tea".

    "I will be leaving Parliament today, thanking you all in advance for powerful English planes," he says.

    His comments are met with laughter and loud applause from the hall.

    He finishes by saying "God bless the King", referring to King Charles III, and "Slava Ukraini" which translates as "Glory to Ukraine!"

  4. We need fighter jets from West - Ukraine leader's pleapublished at 13:39 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    Zelensky appeals to the MPs and the world for combat aircraft for Ukraine.

    "Combat aircraft for Ukraine," he says. "Wings for freedom."

    Although Western allies have stepped up supplies of heavy weaponry, long-range missiles and tanks to Ukraine in recent months, they have so far refused to provide modern fighter jets.

  5. Zelensky presents fighter pilot's helmet to Speakerpublished at 13:38 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    Media caption,

    WATCH: 'Wings for freedom' - Zelensky presents gift to Speaker

    President Zelensky presents Hoyle, the Commons speaker, with a Ukrainian fighter pilot's helmet.

    The pilot it belonged to is "one of the most successful aces, and he's one of our kings", Zelensky says.

    The writing on the helmet reads "we have freedom, give us wings to protect it".

  6. Meeting the King will be 'truly special moment'published at 13:37 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    Zelensky says his meeting with the King later "will be a truly special moment for me".

    He say he will convey, from all Ukrainians, the words of gratitude for support His Majesty showed to them when he was still the Prince of Wales.

    "In Britain, the King is an air force pilot and in Ukraine today, every air force pilot is a king."

  7. Postpublished at 13:37 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    Zelensky stresses the importance of upholding a "rules-based world order" - human rights and justice.

    "To do this", he says, "anyone who invests in terror must be held accountable, and anyone who invests in violence must compensate those who have suffered from it".

    The Ukrainian leader says his country's proposals for the creation of a special tribunal and special compensation for victims of Russian aggression are based on these principles.

  8. Postpublished at 13:34 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    Ukrainain soldiers are being trained in Britain to operate Challenger tanks, Zelensky says, noting the UK's recent pledge to donate 14 battle tanks.

    "I thank you Rishi," Zelensky says to the PM. "For this powerful defensive step."

    Sunak smiles and joins in with the applause for Zelensky.

    "The world truly helps those who are brave in defending freedom and paves the way for a new history," he says.

  9. Postpublished at 13:30 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    Zelensky praises the UK's sanctions against Russia, but says they must continue until the Kremlin can no longer finance its war on Ukraine altogether.

    "This shall be the new reality of the free world," he adds.

  10. Postpublished at 13:28 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    On the UK, Zelensky says the world needs it's leadership, "just as it needs Ukrainian bravery".

    When the full scale invasion began last February, Zelensky says Ukraine, along with with the UK, US and other allies "formed a true coalition of friends".

    "You were among those very few who helped before [the] large scale invasion began," he says.

    Zelensky adds that the UK's help was preventative and "we must take these principles to those who are threatened by aggression and preventive sanctions".

  11. Ukraine victory 'will change the world'published at 13:26 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    "Russia will lose", Zelensky says defiantly.

    He also says the UK "is marching with us to the most important victory of our lifetime".

    "After we win together, any aggressor will know what awaits him if he attacks international order," Zelensky says.

    "Any aggressor is going to lose", he tells MPs, adding "victory will change the world and this is a change the world has long needed".

  12. Postpublished at 13:23 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    Speaking of his country, Zelensky says Ukraine "will always come out on top of evil", which is met with another round of applause.

    "This lies at the core of our, and also your, traditions," he tells MPs watching on in Westminster Hall.

  13. Postpublished at 13:21 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    Zelensky says Ukrainians and British people defended freedom during the Second World War.

    He says "our people went through crisis" and yet they found stamina.

    "Freedom will win," he says to more applause, "we know Russia will lose."

  14. Postpublished at 13:19 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    Zelensky says the former PM had "strong character" and never compromised on Ukraine.

    Johnson is in the crowd listening to the Ukrainian leader.

    Boris Johnson
  15. UK has stood with Ukraine 'since day one'published at 13:18 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    Zelensky continues, again thanking the UK for its support, which receives more applause from MPs.

    He says the UK has been standing with Kyiv "since day one".

    Addressing former PM Boris Johnson directly, he says: "Boris, you got others united when it seemed absolutely, absolutely impossible - thank you."

    This gets another loud round of applause.

  16. Postpublished at 13:15 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    Zelensky is sharing stories of his first visit to London as Ukraine's leader in October 2020.

    He recalls meeting members of the Royal Family, visiting Westminster and the Churchill War Rooms.

    Zelensky says he was offered to sit down on a chair in the war rooms - and says he felt something significant which "only now" he understands.

    "How bravery takes you through the most unimaginable hardships to finally reward you with victory," he says of that feeling.

  17. Postpublished at 13:13 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    Zelensky addresses Hoyle, the Commons speaker, and says "two years ago, we met here in Parliament and I remember, we enjoyed tea".

    MPs break into laughter, before the Ukrainian president goes on.

    "We talked a lot about our people, our countries, the British and Ukrainian political traditions," he says.

    Zelensky
  18. Postpublished at 13:11 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    After more loud applause from MPs gathered in Westminster Hall, Zelensky thanks the people of the UK and says he's here on "behalf of the brave".

    "On behalf of our war heroes who are in the trenches protecting Ukraine against enemy missiles," Zelensky adds.

    He thanks the UK for providing equipment to his soldiers and training for those on the front line.

    Zelensky at Westminster Hall
  19. Zelensky begins his speechpublished at 13:07 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    President Zelensky is beginning his address to great applause. He is speaking in English and says he's here to represent Ukrainian warriors.

  20. We are honoured you put yourself at risk to address us - Hoylepublished at 13:05 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2023

    Lindsay Hoyle speaking in Westminster HallImage source, UK Parliament

    Hoyle introduces President Zelensky as he reflects on an afternoon tea the pair shared in October 2020 - during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    "Little did we know our relationship would grow in such turbulent times," the speaker says.

    He describes the first speech, made virtually, by President Zelensky to the Commons last March, describing the atmosphere as "electrifying".

    He says Parliament is "honoured you put yourself at risk to address us" in person today.