Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses parliamentarians in Westminster Corridor on Feb. 8, 2023, in London, England.
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BRUSSELS — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is assembly European leaders on Thursday as he continues his second main journey overseas since Russia invaded Ukraine.
The Ukrainian chief is anticipated to handle the European Parliament Thursday morning after which attend a unprecedented assembly of the 27 EU heads of state later within the day.
The discussions in Brussels come after a shock go to to the UK on Wednesday and a last-minute assembly with French and German leaders in Paris that night. It’s the second time that Zelenskyy is understood to have left Ukraine since Russia invaded the nation on Feb. 24 final yr.
The president is utilizing his time overseas to thank allies for his or her help up to now, whereas additionally asking for additional commitments at a time when Ukrainian authorities predict a large-scale offensive by the Russians.
In London on Wednesday, Zelenskyy introduced a helmet from a Ukrainian pilot with the message “now we have freedom, give us wings to guard it.”
Final month, Zelenskyy asked Ukraine’s allies for fighter jets — a request that has up to now not acquired the greenlight from Western nations. Nonetheless, the U.Ok. mentioned Wednesday it can present coaching to Ukrainian pilots to fly fighter jets, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak mentioned nothing was off the desk with regards to supporting Ukraine.
In Paris, Zelenskyy was additionally very clear together with his requests to the French and German heads of state. “The earlier we get heavy long-range weapons and our pilots get trendy planes, Emmanuel, the sooner our pilots can get trendy planes, Olaf, the extra highly effective might be our tank coalition,” Zelensky mentioned.
