The speech was given by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, to members of parliament on February 8, 2023 in Westminster Hall in London, England. Credit goes to Stefan Rousseau, provided by WPA Pool and made available through Getty Images
When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed British lawmakers in parliament as part of an unexpected visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday — only his third
international trip since the Russian invasion began a year ago — he did so with a straightforward message aimed at the international community. He urged the international community to support Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion.
When I left the British Parliament two years ago, I thanked you for the delicious English tea,” Zelensky recalled to a crowded Westminster hall of his first visit to Britain as President of Ukraine in 2020.
He was wearing his signature olive green sweater at the time. Today is the day that I will be departing the Parliament, and I would want to thank everyone in advance for the strong English flights.
Here’s The Real Reason Behind Zelensky’s Surprise U.K. Visit
On February 8, 2023 in Westminster Hall in London, England, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a speech. Photo of Stefan Rousseau used with permission from WPA Pool/Getty Images.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a straightforward message for the world community when he met British MPs in parliament during a surprise visit to the U.K. on Wednesday, only his third international travel since the Russian invasion began last year.
Zelensky, wearing his signature olive green sweater, remembered to a crowded Westminster hall about his first visit to Britain as Ukraine’s President in 2020: “Leaving the British Parliament, I thanked you for excellent English tea.” Before I leave the Parliament today, I’d like to express my appreciation to everyone for the country’s robust air defences.
However, support for sending jets appears to be growing in the West. Hours before Zelensky’s arrival, the British government stated that, as part of a “long-term capabilities investment,”
it will begin training Ukrainian pilots to fly fighter jets that meet NATO standards. This is a dramatic about-face from British policy just one week ago, when a government official said that sending jets wouldn’t be practicable because British fighter jets are “very sophisticated and take months to learn how to fly.”
Although instructing Ukrainian pilots on how to use modern NATO fighter jets is not the same as actually providing them, Britain’s action may nonetheless indicate an acceptance of the fact that giving Ukrainian fighter jets is a matter of when, not if, by Ukraine’s friends. Greg Bagwell, a former senior Royal Air Force officer and the president of the U.K.
Air Power Association, says, “The unthinkable has become achievable more than once in terms of aiding Ukraine.” After months of discussion and debate, the United States and Germany finally agreed a few weeks ago to join Britain in sending battle tanks to Ukraine.
The United States and Germany have shown reluctance to deploy jets, but France and the Netherlands have hinted that they would be more willing to do so.
Whether or if Kyiv’s European allies choose to respond will likely depend on whether or not the United States is willing to deploy jets, particularly the American-made F-16s. In this regard, Germany has shown itself to be particularly hesitant to act independently of the United States for fear of inciting a Russian escalation.
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Zelensky Meets King Charles
After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy unexpectedly visited the United Kingdom, King Charles III granted him an audience at Buckingham Palace. The purpose of the audience with the King was to explore how the United Kingdom might better aid Ukraine following the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, nearly a year ago.
One commentator, however, nicely highlighted why the President should not have looked dashing in a freshly pressed suit for this diplomatic meeting with the King, thus there is a legitimate reason that he was dressed down for it.
“After the Ukrainians had won the war, Zelensky would once again don a suit and tie and shave his beard. He’s demonstrating that he still has a mind set conducive to military service and loyalty to his country.
He is not trying to make friends or establish himself. He has merely come to plead for the welfare of his people “claimed one supporter of the Ukrainian leader on the internet.
It is expected that during his brief visit to the UK, the King and the President will discuss additional support measures, like as training, equipment, and sanctions against Russia.
After his meeting with the King, the President commented, “A meeting with King Charles III of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was recently arranged. Upon hearing of his recent coronation, I sent my best wishes for the continued happiness and success of the British people along with my congratulations.”
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Zelenskyy Wore His Signature Olive-Green Sweater To Meet King Charles
During his unannounced visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with King Charles III while wearing the olive-green fleece jumper that has become his trademark.
The audience between Zelenskyy and King Charles took place in the 1844 room of Buckingham Palace. This is the same room in which the king has previously met with prime ministers of the United Kingdom.
A video that was released by the BBC shows Zelenskyy being presented to the king and the two of them shaking hands after the introduction.
Charles responded to Zelenskyy’s statement that it was “a great honour to be here” by telling him, “We’ve all been worried about you and thinking about your country for so long, I can’t tell you,
” according to a tweet from the royal editor of the Daily Mail. Zelenskyy told Charles that it was “a great honour to be here.”
Earlier in the day, when addressing a room full of people in Westminster Hall, Zelenskkyy remarked that his meeting with the king will be “a genuinely special event.”
According to Sky News, he was quoted as saying that “in Britain, the King is a member of the air force, and in Ukraine today, every member of the air force is a king.”
After Russia’s invasion, Zelenskyy abandoned his customary black suit attire, which he had worn on a regular basis in the past, and adopted a military style consisting of predominantly green crew necks, fleeces, and t-shirts teamed with dark cargo pants. This was Zelenskyy’s new outfit.
Zelenskyy has been spotted wearing the outfit on a number of important occasions, including a recent trip to Washington, DC, in December, during which he addressed Congress while wearing what looks to be the identical sweater that he wore while visiting Buckingham Palace.
