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Ukraine's president Zelenskyy invokes Churchill and Shakespeare in impassioned plea to UK Parliament

Watch: Ukraine president echoes Churchill in appeal to UK

Ukraine's president delivered a rousing and impassioned speech to British MPs on Tuesday, in which he thanked Boris Johnson and invoked Winston Churchill as he vowed to fight Russian troops in the air, sea and on the streets.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a standing ovation from MPs in the Commons as he appeared via video link from Kyiv, where he has resolutely remained with his people since Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion nearly two weeks ago.

He used his speech to repeat his call for a no-fly zone to be established by the West, begging for the UK to "make sure that our Ukrainian skies are safe".

Read more: Putin 'extremely paranoid' US is plotting to overthrow him: 'He could double down'

The historic address, the first time a foreign leader has spoken directly to MPs in the Commons, came shortly after the UK announced it would phase out the import of Russian oil and oil products by the end of the year as part of a ratcheting up of sanctions on Moscow.

Addressing MPs, Zelenskyy spoke of the devastation being wrought on his country and vowed that Ukrainians would keep fighting against the "terrorist state".

He drew comparisons between Nazis and the Second World War, and invoked Churchill as he cited Britain's spirit in fighting Adolf Hitler.

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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy invoked Winston Churchill as he described his country's struggle against Vladimir Putin. (UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor)
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The House of Commons gave Zelenskyy a standing ovation as he appeared via video link from Kyiv. (UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor)

In a nod to William Shakespeare, Zelenskyy questioned whether Ukraine was "to be or not to be" following the invasion, before firmly stating it is "Yes! To be."

Referencing Churchill, Zelenskyy said: "We will not give up and we will not lose.

"We will fight to 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.

"We will fight on the banks of the rivers and we are looking for your help - for the help of the civilised countries.

"We are thankful for this help and I'm very grateful to you, Boris."

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Zelenskyy thanked Boris Johnson for his support. (UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor)
KYIV, UKRAINE - MARCH 8: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY â MANDATORY CREDIT -
Zelenskyy has refused to leave Ukraine despite the Russian invasion - reportedly telling the US "I need ammunition, not a ride" when offered support to escape. (Getty Images)

Zelenskyy appealed for more support, including a plea for Western countries to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

He said: "Please increase the pressure of sanctions against this country and please recognise this country as a terrorist state.

"And please make sure that our Ukrainian skies are safe and that you do what needs to be done."

The Ukrainian president was met with another standing ovation as he finished his speech before the video link to Kyiv ended.

Johnson, responding to the speech, told the House of Commons: "Never before in all our centuries of our parliamentary democracy has the House listened to such an address.

"In a great European capital now within range of Russian guns, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is standing firm for democracy and for freedom."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gestures as he speaks during a press conference in Kyiv on March 3, 2022. - Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the West on March 3, 2022, to increase military aid to Ukraine, saying Russia would advance on the rest of Europe otherwise.
'If you do not have the power to close the skies, then give me planes!' Zelensky told the West at a press conference last week. (Getty Images)

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also lauded Zelenskyy.

"Every one of us has been moved by the bravery, the resolve, and the leadership of president Zelensky," Starmer said.

Read more: Russian invasion 'not going well... getting more desperate', says UK minister

"Invading troops march through his streets, shells rain down on his people, and assassins seek his life.

"No-one would have blamed him for fleeing but instead, he has stayed in Kyiv to lead the Ukrainian people and to fight."

Debris are scattered around the hole in a road at the site where several houses have been damaged by an explosion, following an air strike in Bila Tserkva, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine March 5, 2022 in this picture obtained from social media. Kyiv Oblast Police/Handout via REUTERS    THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY
Debris lies scattered around a hole in a road following an airstrike in Bila Tserkva, Kyiv Oblast. (Reuters)
A view shows buildings damaged by recent shelling during Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Kharkiv, Ukraine, March 8, 2022. REUTERS/Oleksandr Lapshyn
Buildings damaged by shelling during Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Kharkiv on Tuesday. (Reuters)

Zelenskyy has emerged as a heroic figure throughout Russia's invasion, becoming a symbol of hope for Ukrainians and refusing to leave Kyiv despite the threats to his safety.

Despite repeatedly calling for the West to implement a no-fly zone over Ukraine to limit the amount of destruction Russia is able to inflict, NATO has ruled out such a move – citing it could trigger a war with Russia, a nuclear power.

Read more: Putin isn't insane and won't use nuclear weapons, says Russia's ex-foreign minister

Zelenskyy has also asked the UK to step up sanctions on Russia, and requested more weapons, with calls from a growing number of Ukrainian politicians for fighter jets.

"If you do not have the power to close the skies, then give me planes!" said Zelenskyy last week.

The UK has donated around £400m to Ukraine so far, as well as providing defensive military equipment for the Ukrainian military.