Ukrainian President Zelenskyy draws on Churchill when addressing the Commons and asks Britain to recognise Russia as a 'terrorist state'

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has called on to the UK to recognise Russia as a "terrorist state."

MPs were upstanding before the Ukrainian leader spoke to the Commons.

Members of the House of Lords also filled the upper galleries of the chamber to watch the speech alongside MPs.

Screens were installed in the Commons in preparation for the address in the same place that they were installed during the virtual parliament held during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses MPs in the House of Commons via videolink on the latest situation in Ukraine.
House of Commons

Addressing the House of Commons via video link, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said “we do not want to lose what we have, what is ours, our country Ukraine”.

According to the English language translation on Parliament TV, Mr Zelensky said: “Mr Speaker, all the Members of Parliament, ladies and gentlemen, I am addressing all the people of the United Kingdom and all the people from the country with a big history.

“I am addressing you as a citizen, as a president, of also a big country, with a dream and big effort.

“I would like to tell you about the 13 days of war, the war that we didn’t start and we didn’t want. However we have to conduct this war, we do not want to lose what we have, what is ours, our country Ukraine.”

Invoking Britain's wartime leader Winston Chruchill, Mr Zelenskyy told MPs: "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.

Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko in the public gallery before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed MPs in the House of Commons via videolink on the latest situation in Ukraine.
House of Commons

"We will fight in the forest, in the field, in the shores, in the streets.

"I would like to add that we will fight on the banks of different rivers... and we are looking for the help of the civilised countries."

Concluding his speech to the Commons, Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Boris Johnson by name and called on the UK for more support.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed MPs in the House of Commons via videolink on the latest situation in Ukraine.
House of Commons

Speaking through a translator provided by Parliament TV, he said: “We are looking for your help, for the help of Western counties.

“We are thankful for this help and I am grateful to you Boris.

“Please increase the pressure of sanctions against this country (Russia) and please recognise this country as a terrorist country.

“Please make sure sure that our Ukrainian skies are safe.

“Please make sure that you do what needs to be done and what is stipulated by the greatness of your country.

“Glory to Ukraine and glory to the United Kingdom.”