Ukraine war: President Volodymyr Zelensky visits the UK

8 February 2023

On Wednesday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise trip to the UK to speak in Westminster Hall and meet King Charles at Buckingham Palace.

Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street Prime Minister Rishi Sunak greets Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine as he arrives in the United Kingdom.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shared a warm embrace with Mr Zelensky when he arrived at Stansted Airport (above).

EPA British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomes Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, on 8 February 2023

The two leaders waved outside Downing Street, before heading inside.

Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomes the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to 10 Downing Street where he was greeted by staff

Mr Sunak then went to the Commons for the weekly Prime Minster's Questions.

In his opening words, he said he was "delighted" that Mr Zelensky was visiting the UK.

He said it was "testament to the unbreakable friendship" between the UK and Ukraine.

PA Media Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Speaker of the House of Lords Lord McFall, welcoming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Westminster Hall

Later on, Mr Zelensky met Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord McFall (above and below).

PA Media Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shakes hands with MPs as he walks with Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord McFall, through the Palace of Westminster.

Mr Zelensky signed the guestbook at Speaker's House in the Palace of Westminster.

PA Media Speaker of the House of Commons with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signing the guestbook at Speaker's House in the Palace of Westminster.

He also met Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party.

PA Media Labour leader Keir Starmer meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Speaker's House in the Palace of Westminster.

Mr Zelensky arrived on stage in Westminster Hall and was met with rapturous applause.

Sir Lindsay introduced Mr Zelensky and reflected on an afternoon tea the pair shared in October 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

PA Media Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord McFall, watches as Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle , welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Westminster Hall, in London, on 8 February 2023

"Little did we know our relationship would grow in such turbulent times," Sir Lindsay said.

He spoke about the first speech, made virtually, by Mr Zelensky to the Commons last March, describing the atmosphere as "electrifying".

He said Parliament was "honoured you put yourself at risk to address us" in person on Wednesday.

PA Media Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses parliamentarians in Westminster Hall.

Mr Zelensky then spoke in English and said he was there to represent Ukrainian warriors, "on behalf of our war heroes who are in the trenches protecting Ukraine against enemy missiles".

Getty Images Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky addresses parliamentarians in Westminster Hall on 8 February 2023 in London, England

Mr Zelensky thanked the UK for providing equipment to his soldiers and training for those on the front line, and said the UK has been standing with Kyiv "since day one".

The leader then presented Sir Lindsay with a Ukrainian fighter pilot's helmet.

Pool via Reuters Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle holds the helmet of one of the most successful Ukrainian pilots, inscribed with the words "We have freedom, give us wings to protect it", which was presented to him by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he addressed parliamentarians in Westminster Hall

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

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

The president then travelled to Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles.

PA Media Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is greeted by Sir Clive Alderton, Principal Private Secretary to King Charles III, as he arrives for an audience with the King at Buckingham Palace

The two men were pictured standing together as the King held an audience with the Ukrainian president - the first time they had met in person.

PA Media King Charles III holds an audience with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Buckingham Palace, London, during his first visit to the UK since the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Mr Sunak and Mr Zelensky then flew together in a helicopter to Dorset for the next stop on the UK visit.

They were pictured laughing at something on the PM's phone as they prepared to take off.

PA Media Volodymyr Zelensky and Rishi Sunak in a helicopter

They landed at Lulworth Camp, a military base in Dorset, flanked by their teams and military figures.

PA Media Volodymyr Zelensky and Rishi Sunak arrive at a base in Dorset

The Ukrainian president met soldiers who are being trained in the UK on how to operate Challenger 2 tanks.

He took time to present medals to some of the troops who will soon be sent to the front line.

PA Volodymyr Zelensky and Rishi Sunak meeting soldiers

Mr Sunak and Mr Zelensky gave a joint press conference in front of a tank, the same model the UK is donating to the Ukrainian war effort.

PA Media Volodymyr Zelensky and Rishi Sunak giving a joint press conference in front of a tank

The PM said "nothing is off the table" when asked about providing fighter jets to Ukraine.

Sending warplanes was "part of the conversation", he told reporters, hours after Number 10 said the defence secretary has been asked to investigate what jets the UK could potentially give.