LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine) – In a historic address to the House of Commons, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to “fight to the end” against Russia, pleading for further assistance from the UK.
In the words of Winston Churchill, “We shall fight on the beaches,” he promised in a speech to the same parliament in 1940. He promised, “We will fight until the end, at sea, in the air. We will continue fighting for our land, whatever the cost.
“We will fight in the forests, in the fields, on the shores, in the streets.”
Mr Zelenskyy also used Shakespeare when he declared that the choice for Ukraine is “to be, or not to be.. it’s definitely yes, to be”.
This has happened for the first time that foreign leader has spoken directly to MPs in the House of Commons.
Ukraine was looking for UK’s support, for the help of Western countries, he said, pleading for additional military assistance and more sanctions. He added that  was thankful for the assistance, and he was grateful to Boris Johnson.
He requested the pressure of sanctions be intensified against Russia and that Russia be recognised as a terrorist country.
He requested further reassurance of the safety of the Ukrainian skies. and that be done what needs to be done, which is required by the UK’s grandeur.
“To Ukraine, glory, and to the United Kingdom, glory.”
Mr Zelenskyy delivered an emotional chronology of the Russian invasion, sharing with the MPs what had happened on each of the 13 days of the battle thus far.
Over 50 children have been killed, he added, adding: “These are the children that could have lived but these people have taken them away from us.
He added that Ukraine had no intention of becoming involved in this war. Ukraine has not set out to become big, but they have grown during the course of the war.
Despite having to face one of the world’s largest armies, he said, Ukraine was a country that was protecting people. Helicopters and rockets must be fought.Â
MPs gave the president a long standing ovation both before and after his speech, which he delivered via video link while wearing headphones connected to a translator.
Following that, the prime minister pledged to use every measure – economic, humanitarian and diplomatic – until Vladimir Putin fails in this tragic endeavour and Ukraine is once again free.
Mr Johnson added: “Never before, in all our centuries of parliamentary democracy, has the house listened to such an address.” Mr Johnson concluded.
The Ukrainian President’s speech came as fresh “humanitarian corridors” were opened on Tuesday, with people fleeing the seriously damaged northern city of Sumy and the town of Irpin, near Kyiv.
The president described the corridors as “absolutely immoral” on Monday, claiming that the Kremlin had put them up so that the majority of them led to Russia or close ally Belarus.
However, Ukrainian officials broadcast video on Tuesday showing buses full with people going over a snowy route from Sumy and others leaving the beleaguered southern port of Mariupol.
Mr Zelenskyy’s request to speak to MPs was allowed by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who dubbed it a “historic address.”
