Russia-Ukraine war: Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets King Charles in surprise UK visit

The King hosted Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Buckingham Palace during an unannounced visit to the UK.

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, addresses parliamentarians in Westminster Hall in London. Picture: Getty Images

King Charles has hosted Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Buckingham Palace during the Ukrainian President’s surprise visit to Britain.

The new monarch met Mr Zelenskyy for the first time at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday local time after he spoke in London’s House of Parliament and met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who welcomed him off his plane earlier in the day.

Mr Zelenskyy referred to his upcoming meeting with King Charles, saying it “will be a truly special moment for me” and the President said he would express gratitude for King Charles’ support to the Ukraine people.

King Charles meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Buckingham Palace. Picture: Getty Images

“In Britain, the King is an air force pilot — and in Ukraine today, every air force pilot is a king,” Mr Zelenskyy said, according to the BBC.

Earlier, Mr Zelenskyy made a historic address to UK parliament on during his surprise visit to London, thanking Britain on behalf of his country’s “war heroes”.

Mr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to British parliamentarians for supporting Ukraine during his speech in Westminster Hall.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for your bravery,” he said.

The Ukrainian President thanked King Charles for his support. Picture: Getty Images

“Thank you very much. From all of us.

“London has stood with Kyiv since day one,” he told British politicians.

“Since the first seconds and minutes of the full-scale war. Great Britain, you extended your helping hand when the world had not yet come to understand how to react.”

He added: “We know Russia will lose. We know victory will change the world, and this will be a change the world needed. The United Kingdom is marching with us towards the most important victory of our lifetime. The victory over the very idea of war.”

King Charles greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Picture: Getty Images

Mr Zelenskyy also called on allies to provide his country with air power to combat the Russian invasion.

“I appeal to you and the world … for combat aircraft for Ukraine, wings for freedom,” he told politicians of the lower and upper houses of the British parliament.

He even joked: “Thank all of you in advance for powerful English planes.”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Buckingham Palace. Picture: AFP

“Great Britain, you and us both struggle for peace. Unfortunately, it is in human nature to allow evil. We must make sure it doesn’t stand up against humanity. It destroys and kills and breaks people’s lives.”

Invoking memories of the second world war, the Ukranian President added: “You and us have already fought together against such evil.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses parliamentarians in Westminster Hall in London. Picture: Getty Images

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomes Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Picture: AFP

“You and us already have experience of defeating the evil that is generated by human nature.

“It is impossible to completely erase evil from human nature. Yet it is in our power to guarantee with words and deeds that the light side of human nature will prevail.

“You and us share this stance above anything else.”

Mr Zelenskyy, who arrived in the UK earlier on Wednesday local time, said in parliament’s ancient Westminster Hall: “We know freedom will win, we know Russia will lose.

Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle (left), and Speaker of the House of Lords Lord McFall (right) with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Picture: Getty

“The United Kingdom is marching with us towards the most … important victory of our lifetime. It will be a victory over the very idea of the war.” The UK government said on Wednesday it would offer advanced training for Ukrainian fighter jet pilots and marines, as Western allies debate stepping up military aid for Kyiv against a feared new Russian offensive in the east.

Britain has stopped short, however, of offering Kyiv its Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets saying it would require months if not years of training.

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky is applauded by Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord McFall, (L) and Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle. Picture: Getty

The United States has so far also rejected any deliveries of F-16 warplanes to Ukraine, but other partners, including Poland, have shown themselves more open to the idea.

Concluding his speech, Mr Zelenskyy told the parliament: “Thank you for your attention. Thank you for your support.

“ … leaving a British parliament two years ago I thanked you for delicious English tea. And I will be leaving the parliament today thanking all of you in advance for powerful English planes,” he added.

Mr Zelenskyy’s UK visit comes at a time when Kyiv is urging the West to send more weapons and military support to counter Russian advances.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak greeted Mr Zelenskyy at Stansted Airport, north of London, after he landed aboard a UK Royal Air Force C-17 transport plane. Sunak tweeted a picture of the pair embracing on the runway. “Welcome to the UK, President @ZelenskyyUa,” reads the caption, adding the hashtag #GlorytoUkraine.

Mr Zelenskyy travelled to Downing Street with Mr Sunak, before addressing the UK parliament in Westminster Hall. He is also set to meet Britain’s King Charles, Buckingham Palace has said, as well as Ukrainian troops being trained by British forces.

Mr Zelenskyy was expected in Paris on Wednesday evening, the French presidency said, after his visit to the United Kingdom.

EU officials are then hoping he will head to Brussels on Thursday to meet European leaders in a largely symbolic but nevertheless keenly anticipated visit after months of European support for Ukraine.

– with AFP

Originally published as Russia-Ukraine war: Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets King Charles in surprise UK visit