We're now closing our live page about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Brussels to meet with European leaders.

He's been urging them to "stay the course" in their support of his country and also been asking for fighter jets - more information on that here.

The coverage has been edited by Jeremy Gahagan and Rob Corp, and written by Christy Cooney, Oliver Slow and Lauren Turner in London, with help from our colleagues in Brussels.

Thanks for joining us.

Jessica Parker
Brussels Correspondent

After all the ceremony, photo opportunities and press statements – now it’s really down to business.

President Zelensky has been locked in private talks with EU leaders this afternoon, in a series of bilaterals.

It’s a chance for the Ukrainian leader to make a direct case, face-to-face, for the support he wants and why.

Earlier he appeared to suggest he’d heard a “readiness” from certain countries to supply fighter jets.

It’s not clear quite how ready Western leaders really are. What is certain is there’s a desire to avoid any escalation in the conflict and to try and keep these highly sensitive conversations behind closed doors.

But Kyiv will be pleased that these conversation are, at least, happening.

Image source, EPA

We’ll be closing our live coverage of President Zelensky’s European travels shortly, but if you’re just joining us or need a recap, here’s a summary of the key developments today:

• Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has been visiting Brussels today, as part of a tour of European capitals to push for more weapons – specifically fighter jets – to repel Russian’s invasion. Yesterday he had made calls for increased support in London and Paris
• Addressing the European Parliament, Zelensky said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was not only attack on that country, but one on the European way of life. He urged the European Union to “stay the course” in its support for Ukraine, and predicted that his country would become a member of the bloc
• Zelensky also addressed the European Commission on Thursday, saying that people in Europe are protecting the continent “against the regime that wants to destroy the freedom of Europe” – Zelensky has enjoyed popular support everywhere he has gone on his European tour this week, and received three standing ovations during his speech in the European Parliament

• But that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll get everything he wants, and as quickly as he wants. The UK’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told reporters there will be no immediate transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine, and that instead it would be “more realistic and more productive” to think about planes as a long-term aim
• Other European leaders have urged caution on the issue, with the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte telling the BBC that it’s important to ensure that the issue of potential fighter jets for Ukraine would not lead to a “direct confrontation between Nato and Russia”

Chris Mason
Political editor

Image source, Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's tour of Europe, for all its photo opportunities, gratitude and applause, is a reminder that the war leaves the UK and Ukraine's allies wrestling with profound questions.

It is a conflict without immediate, obvious end.

To how many requests from Ukraine can the answer be yes? For how long? At what cost? And with what consequences?

The UK feels it has a strategic, diplomatic and moral obligation to remain steadfast in its support for Ukraine.

But Zelensky's latest request - for warplanes - is a whole lot more than Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is promising and is not easy to achieve.

Read Chris Mason’s full analysis here.

Image source, Reuters

Not long after Russia's invasion, Ukraine was given thousands of SpaceX Starlink dishes, which connect to satellites and help people stay connected to the internet.

But now the company, founded by Elon Musk, has limited Ukraine's ability to use the service for military purposes following reports Kyiv used it to control drones.

SpaceX says this goes against the service agreement - Ukraine is yet to comment.

The technology was "never meant to be weaponised," SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell said on Wednesday, stressing it had been provided for humanitarian use instead.

Speaking at a US event, she said the company had taken steps to "limit" the abilities of the Ukrainian armed forces to use Starlink in an offensive way. She didn't give any more details.

Unmanned aircraft have played an important role in the war, having been used by Kyiv to search out Russian troops, drop bombs and counter Moscow's own drone attacks.

Russia has also been accused by Musk of attempting to jam Starlink signals.

More on this story here.

A social media post by one of President Zelensky's senior aides was edited after he initially said the question of fighter jets being provided to Ukraine had been resolved.

Andriy Yermak, chief of the presidential staff, published the Telegram post as the Ukrainian president spoke in Brussels.

The edited version now reads slightly less definitively: "It seems the question of long-range weaponry and fighter jets for Ukraine may be resolved. Details still to follow."

Frank Gardner
Security Correspondent

Image source, EPA

President Zelensky is an extraordinary phenomenon, a mould-breaker in international politics. Few were surprised when he was named Time Magazine’s 2022 Person of the Year.

As Ukraine’s charismatic and outspoken president, he has done more than anyone else in his country to rally support for it in the West. He has done this in two ways:

• Firstly, he defied Kremlin expectations and stayed put in Kyiv. When the Russians invaded and the US offered to evacuate him, he famously replied: “The fight is here. I need ammunition, not a ride”
• Secondly, he has made a point of constantly addressing audiences both home and abroad, dressed in his trademark military-style T-shirt, stiffening Ukrainian resolve while pleading for more Nato weaponry

His background was not military, it was in popular TV entertainment, even playing the part of an imaginary president before he won the election and took on the job for real.

Political leaders in the West have been impressed by his bravery – he reportedly has to move location daily to avoid being targeted.

But the longer this war goes on without a decisive Ukrainian victory, the greater the risk that his western backers will eventually ask him to make a compromise deal with Moscow.

Hence the urgency of his visit this week as fresh Russian forces gather on his borders in their hundreds of thousands, waiting for a spring offensive.

Image source, Reuters

One of the main themes of Zelensky's speech at the European Parliament was gratitude and solidarity - ahead of a summit where he's expected to ask EU leaders for more weapons.

"We are defending ourselves in the battlefield, we Ukrainians, together with you," he told leaders, who greeted him with a standing ovation. Many also wore the blue and yellow of his country's flag.

He thanked everyone who'd helped the "ordinary people" of Ukraine and were "standing by us in our fight for life".

Zelensky emphasised the "common European history" Ukraine shares, describing Russia as the "biggest anti-European force of the modern world".

He said the fight was not just to defend Ukraine but Europe's way of life, accusing Russia of wanting to return to the "inhumane realities" of the 1930s and 40s.

Ukrainian officials want EU membership talks to happen within months, with Zelensky telling the parliament that Ukraine "is going to be a member of the European Union".

Some countries are thought to be keen for those talks to start but others are more cautious about the prospect of negotiations starting.

He didn't repeat his requests for fighter jets during the speech itself, but gets his chance to ask in person later on.

Read more here.

Image source, EPA

During his efforts to lobby European countries to provide Ukraine with fighter jets in its battle with Russia, President Zelensky has made it clear that he’s grateful for the support that has been lent to his country so far.

More than 30 countries have provided military equipment to Kyiv since Russia’s invasion last year, in the form of tanks, combat vehicles, air defence systems and long-range rockets – and many of these supplies have played an important role in the conflict.

Read more here about what supplies countries have provided to Ukraine so far.

The next question is about Ukraine joining the EU.

The journalist asks if Ukraine is going to have to wait for years and also what kind of EU Ukraine wants to be a part of.

Zelensky says the dialogue has been opened about their future in the EU. He says "we need unity in this case" and that Ukraine wants it this year, to motivate themselves and especially their army.

"We need it this year. When I say this year, I mean this year - 2023," he says, addressing Michel specifically - to some laughter from the room.

Image source, EPA

The leaders are now facing questions from the assembled media.

Zelensky is asked by a reporter about the UK's announcement that it will start providing training to Ukrainian pilots and the lack of any similar announcement by France or Germany.

"Our visit to London has achieved results and we have moved towards [decisions] concerning long-range missiles and the training of our pilots," he says.

"That is an important road to getting the fighter jets that we need."

He adds that there were "certain agreements which are not public but are positive".

"I don't want to prepare [Russia, which] constantly threatens us with new aggression," he says.

Zelensky goes on to describe his discussion with President Macron and Chancellor Scholz as a "very powerful meeting, a very important meeting".

"Talking about concrete decisions... I would not want to announce many things publicly. All I can say is we were working towards the enhancement of our capabilities," he says.

He does say that the supply of armoured equipment and tanks was discussed.

He concludes that Britain and all the countries of the European Union deserve "huge gratitude" from Ukraine for the support they have provided.

Image source, Reuters

More now from Von der Leyen, she says they are "supporting Ukraine to win this war" and to win peace - saying it "must be a just peace".

Russia "must pay" for the destruction caused and blood spilled, she says. There is going to be another sanctions package - this will target Putin's propagandists, with Von der Leyen saying "we are going after them".

There are going to be exports ban worth more than 10bn Euro to "starve" Russia's "military machine".

And she says the international community is making sure justice is served.

This will include storing evidence of crimes committed, having prosecutors work together and setting up a tribunal. There is "political will to hold the perpetrator responsible" she says.

And she says the bid for EU membership is progressing, adding: "Let's turn Ukraine's dreams into reality."

Ursula Von der Leyen follows Zelensky, she says everyone understands the urgency of the call to protect Ukraine now.

"You see we are one family, one vision and family members help each other," she says.

"You can count on us."

She adds "we will continue to provide our full support" - now and in the future.

"Ukrainians giving lives for free and independent Ukraine. We know we can never match the sacrifices Ukrainians are making every single day - but we can stand up for you."

There's been billions given in support but "we must do more", she says.

Zelensky calls for sanctions targeting the Russian industries producing drones and missiles as well as the IT sector supporting its military.

"Then we can reduce the destruction and we can remove the source of [Russia's] attacks," he says.

He also thanks Europe for aerial defence systems that have been supplied to Ukraine.

Image source, EPA

Zelensky tells European leaders that Russia's invasion is an attack not just on the values they care about but on their vital interests.

Citing the example of energy supply, Zelensky says: "Ukraine used to export electricity to the European Union. We were making your social life, your welfare.

"But Russia has occupied and switched from the network our nuclear power station. That is the violation of your interest. Values yes, but also your interest.

"And we can talk about every single element of the Russian aggression in that way.

"Yes, they are trying to destroy our economy and our cities, but they are doing it in such a way that it [affects] all Europeans."

Image source, Reuters

Zelensky is up now. He says "Ukraine is fighting, Ukraine can protect its independence".

He says it's only fair Ukraine takes part in meetings of European leaders and that Ukrainian language is part of the European Parliament.

He says there has been a closed meeting and the message was that "long-term peace in Europe will only happen when Ukraine gets victory" and when it becomes part of the EU.

Zelensky thanks the people of Europe again for their support and giving refuge to Ukrainian people "who were trying to protect their children from the bombs".

"The European values are real - thank you for everything friends. That's the only way I can address you, friends."

Image source, EPA

Charles Michel says Europe has to continue providing the maximum level of support to Ukraine - including on the military front.

He says Zelensky also comes with a message about the "peace formula". He tells him the EU "wants to be by your side" and will "spare no efforts" to carry on this diplomatic and political battle, and he wants there to be a summit for peace.

The European Council president adds he wants a "consistent and firm" approach where Russia is concerned, including on freezing assets.

President Zelensky is now holding a joint press conference in Brussels alongside the President of the European Council Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

We'll be listening in and will bring you any details.

Image source, PA Media

The UK wants to train Ukrainian pilots to use its aircraft "as quickly as humanly possible", Downing Street has said.

A key aim of Zelensky's tour of European capitals has been to lobby for the supply of fighter jets, but doubts have been raised about how many Western nations could spare and how quickly Ukrainian pilots could be trained to use them.

Discussing the issue with reporters, the prime minister's spokesman said: "Obviously we can train them on aircraft the UK [has].

"What we can also do at the same time is instruct trainees on tactics and procedures that all Nato nations use."

Asked about how long the training could take, the spokesman said: "What we are doing is exploring how quickly this can be done, particularly given some Ukrainian pilots may have years [of experience], albeit in Soviet-era jets that are very different to our own."

He added that the UK was working with the Ukrainian military to "adapt our training and get pilots up to full flying standard as quickly as humanly possible".

Away from Zelensky’s tour of Europe, we’ve also heard from Russian President Vladimir Putin today.

Speaking at a meeting with senior officials that was broadcast on Russian state television, Putin said foreign companies were suffering big losses as a result of leaving the Russian market amid Western sanctions.

He said the potential for domestic business expansion was “colossal”, and the Russia had not lost out from the departure of foreign firms.

Economists tend to disagree with Putin’s assessment, and you can read more about how sanctions have impacted Russia’s economy here.