Britain | Plane speaking

Volodymyr Zelensky visits Britain

The Ukrainian president gives thanks and requests more support

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 08: Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle (L), holds up 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 on February 8, 2023 in London, England. The Ukrainian President makes a surprise visit to the UK today in his second visit outside Ukraine since the Russian invasion nearly a year ago. The UK will offer further support in the form of training, equipment and Russian sanctions. (Photo Stefan Rousseau-by WPA Pool/Getty Images) — Image: Getty Images

Feb 9th 2023

Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, pressed parliamentarians for “powerful English planes” on a visit to London on February 8th. In an address in Westminster Hall, the president gave the Speaker of the Commons a pilot’s helmet with the inscription: “We have freedom, give us the wings to protect it.” Of his meeting with King Charles, Mr Zelensky said: “In Britain the king is an air-force pilot. In Ukraine today every air-force pilot is a king.” Rishi Sunak, the prime minister, has offered training for Ukrainian pilots; the government said only that it would investigate giving planes, too. ■

This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Volodymyr Zelensky visits Britain”