Zelensky Visits UK, Urges Lawmakers To Help Kick Russians Out

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged allies to send his country fighter jets, saying “combat aircraft for Ukraine — wings for freedom,” and called for stronger sanctions against Moscow, until “Russia is deprived of any possibility to finance this war,” Jill Lawless reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Photo Insert: Zelensky and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

He was addressing the UK’s Parliament on a rare trip outside his country. Zelensky’s daring to visit Britain in a bid for more advanced weapons comes as Kyiv braces for an expected Russian offensive and hatches its own plans to retake land held by Moscow’s forces.

Zelenskyy thanked the British people on Wednesday for their support since “Day One” of Russia’s invasion, and vowed that Moscow would lose as “evil” had in past conflicts.

Hundreds of lawmakers and parliamentary staff packed the 900-year-old Westminster Hall, the oldest — and unheated — part of Parliament for Zelensky’s speech, Raf Casert also reported for AP.

It was only his second confirmed journey outside Ukraine since Russia invaded nearly a year ago. In past wars, “evil lost,” he told lawmakers, wearing his trademark olive drab sweatshirt.

“We know Russia will lose and we we know victory will change the world.″ He said he was speaking on behalf of the brave people of his own country — and thanked Britons for their bravery. “London has stood with Kyiv since Day One,” he said.

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