Zelenskyy urges UK: “Give us jets to save our freedom”

• Zelenskyy urged the UK to give his nation combat jets.
• Boris Johnson echoed his calls, saying it is time to give the Ukrainians the extra equipment.
• They need to defeat Putin and restore peace.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the UK to give his nation combat jets as he addressed Parliament.

He compared combat planes to “wings for freedom” in an ardent plea.

His appeal comes as the UK makes official plans to start instructing Ukrainian military in the use of fighter jets up to NATO standards.

At the end of his statement, President Zelenskyy expressed the hope that he would soon be able to thank the UK for sending the planes.

Later, Downing Street confirmed that Mr. Sunak had requested the defense secretary look into the possibility of the UK providing Ukraine with jets, but emphasized that this was “a long-term solution.”

Addressing a huge crowd of MPs and peers in the historic setting of Westminster Hall, President Zelenskyy said: “Freedom will win – we know Russia will lose,” adding the UK was with his country on a march to “the most important victory of our lifetime”.

Thanking the UK for its “grit”, he said the country, through its support of Ukraine, had not compromised the “spirit and ideals of these great islands”.

He also singled out Boris Johnson for praise saying the former prime minister had united others “when it seemed impossible.”

During his speech, which was met throughout with applause, the Ukrainian leader gave the House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle the helmet of a Ukrainian pilot.

The writing on the helmet reads: “We have freedom, give us wings to protect it.”

Reflecting on his last visit to the UK, he recalled thanking his hosts “for delicious English tea”.

“I will be leaving Parliament today, thanking you all in advance for powerful English planes.”

Mr. Johnson echoed his calls in a statement saying: “It is time to give the Ukrainians the extra equipment they need to defeat Putin and to restore peace to Ukraine. That means longer range missiles and artillery, it means more tanks, it means planes.”

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