Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Calls On UK To Recognise Russia As A “Terrorist State” In Landmark Address To Parliament
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a landmark address to Parliament (Sky News)
4 min read
The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for the UK to recognise Russia as a “terrorist state” in a landmark address to Parliament.
Speaking to the House of Commons via video link from Kyiv, he reiterated his call for a no-fly zone to be enforced over his country to protect his people from Vladmir Putin’s invasion.
Having remained in his country’s capital despite days of shelling and attacks by Russian troops, Zelenskyy thanked Boris Johnson for sending defensive weapons and aid.
But he asked for the government to “please increase the pressure of sanctions”, as well as recognising Russia as “a terrorist state”.
Zelenskyy, who moved some MPs to tears with his speech this afternoon, called on the UK to “please ensure our Ukrainian skies are safe”, adding: “Please make sure you do what needs to be done, and what is stipulated by the greatness of your country.
"Glory to Ukraine and glory to the United Kingdom."
The Ukrainian leader told MPs "over 50 children have been killed” in the conflict so far.
"These are the children that could have lived but these people have taken them away from us," he continued.
"Ukraine were not looking to have this war. Ukraine have not been looking to become big but they have become big over the days of this war.
“We are the country that are saving people despite having to fight one of the biggest armies in the world. We have to fight the helicopters, rockets."
When he appeared on screens in the House of Commons, Zelenskyy was given a standing ovation by hundreds of MPs who had packed into the chamber.
"The question for us now is to be or not to be. Oh no, this Shakespearean question," he said.
"For 13 days this question could have been asked but now I can give you a definitive answer. It's definitely yes, to be.
"And I would like to remind you the words that the United Kingdom have already heard, which are important again. We will not give up and we will not lose."
Responding to the speech, Johnson told the Commons: "Never before in all our centuries of our parliamentary democracy has the House listened to such an address.
"In a great European capital now within range of Russian guns President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is standing firm for democracy and for freedom."
The Prime Minister said of Zelenskyy: "In his righteous defence I believe he has moved the hearts of everybody in this House.
"At this moment ordinary Ukrainians are defending their homes and their families against a brutal assault and they are, by their actions, inspiring millions by their courage and their devotion."
He said Britain and its allies “are determined to press on with supplying our Ukrainian friends with the weapons they need to defend their homeland as they deserve”, as well as “tightening the economic vice around Vladimir Putin”, after earlier announcing Russian oil imports will be phased out by the end of 2022.
"And we will employ every method that we can - diplomatic, humanitarian and economic - until Vladimir Putin has failed in this disastrous venture and Ukraine is free once more”, Johnson added.
Having listened to the speech the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told the Commons: "Every one of us has been moved by the bravery, the resolve, and the leadership of President Zelenskyy.
"Invading troops march through his streets, shells rain down on his people, and assassins seek his life.
“No-one would have blamed him for fleeing but instead, he has stayed in Kyiv to lead the Ukrainian people and to fight.”
He said Zelenskyy has “reminded us that our freedom and our democracy are invaluable” and has not only prompted the rest of the world into action but inspired his own people to resist “the Russian war machine”.
"Labour stands with President Zelensky, with Ukraine, with democracy. Slava Ukraini”, Starmer added.
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