2023 visit by Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the United Kingdom
President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Sunak meeting at London Stansted Airport
Date8 February 2023 (2023-02-08)
LocationLondon, United Kingdom

On 8 February 2023, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, visited the United Kingdom. During his trip, Zelenskyy met Rishi Sunak, the prime minister of the United Kingdom. He also addressed Members of Parliament from Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament and had an audience with King Charles III. It was Zelenskyy's second trip outside Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, after his December 2022 visit to the United States.[1][2][3][4]

Background

On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that began in 2014.[5][6][7] Throughout the war, a number of states have provided military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including the United Kingdom; in 2022, the UK government spent £2,300,000,000 on military aid for Ukraine.[8][9][10]

Visit to the United Kingdom

Zelenskyy addressing Members of Parliament from Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament

Zelenskyy flew from Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport in Poland to London Stansted Airport aboard an RAF C-17 (serial number ZZ178). He was greeted on the tarmac at Stansted by the prime minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, who invited Zelenskyy to 10 Downing Street.[1] Zelenskyy later addressed Members of Parliament from Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament,[11] where he received a standing ovation. [citation needed]

Zelenskyy had an audience with King Charles III,[11] before visiting Ukrainian troops being trained at Lulworth Camp in Dorset.[11][12]

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Culbertson, Alix (8 February 2023). "Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to meet PM and King today in first UK visit since Russian invasion". Sky News. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Zelenskyy visits UK for first time since Russia's invasion, as Ukraine claims deadliest day of war so far". ABC News. 8 February 2023. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Zelenskyy tells UK MPs Ukraine needs 'wings for freedom'". dw.com. 8 February 2023. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Zelenskyy to meet Sunak, King Charles on first wartime UK trip". Al Jazeera. 8 February 2023. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  5. ^ "Putin Declares War on Ukraine". The Kyiv Independent. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Putin announces formal start of Russia's invasion in eastern Ukraine". Meduza. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  7. ^ "Russian President Vladimir Putin announces military assault against Ukraine in surprise speech". MSN. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  8. ^ Brown, David; Ahmedzade, Tural (20 September 2022). "What weapons are being given to Ukraine by the UK?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Military assistance to Ukraine since the Russian invasion". UK Parliament—House of Commons Library. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  10. ^ "What military equipment has the UK sent Ukraine?". Forces Network. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  11. ^ a b c McManus, Oliver (8 February 2023). "President Zelensky and Rishi Sunak to visit troops in Dorset later today". Dorset Echo. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  12. ^ "President Zelensky and Rishi Sunak meet Ukrainian troops in Dorset". Dorset Echo. 8 February 2023. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
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