Watch again: Ukraine war leader Zelenskyy delivers historic address to UK MPs

8 March 2022, 09:34 | Updated: 8 March 2022, 17:23

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the House of Commons | Watch Live from 5PM

By Asher McShane

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has delivered a historic video message to MPs as Boris Johnson continues his diplomatic offensive to encourage Western leaders to punish Russia for invading the country.

He addressed the House of Commons by video link after Speaker Lindsay Hoyle approved a request for the "historic address" from the leader who, according to reports, is at risk of assassination by pro-Russian groups in Kyiv.

He gave an address to the European Parliament last week and imparted a virtual message to the US Senate on Saturday.

Read more: 'I am not hiding, I am not afraid' - Zelenskyy sends Russia defiant message from Kyiv

Read more: Russian general killed by Ukrainian forces in Kharkiv, says Ukraine defence ministry

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is known to speak with Mr Zelenskyy on a regular basis.

Last night the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Russia continued to target civilian evacuation corridors in Ukraine.

Defence Secretary: Russian forces taking suffered significant casualties

The latest intelligence update published by MoD said: "Russia continues to directly target evacuation corridors, resulting in the death of several civilians whilst trying to evacuate Irpin."

"Due to heavy fighting in the town, it has reportedly been without heat, water or electricity for days."

Last night Mr Johnson spoke with US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, with the four leaders vowing to "continue to apply pressure on Russia to isolate Putin diplomatically and economically".

A No 10 spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister stressed that our goal must be ensuring Putin's failure in this act of aggression against Ukraine."

The Foreign Secretary met with the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, on the same evening.

Liz Truss tweeted afterwards that the UK is working to "cripple" Russia's war effort and to rally the international community.

Volodymyr Zelensky will speak to MPs today - a Russians continue to target civilians
Volodymyr Zelensky will speak to MPs today - a Russians continue to target civilians. Picture: Alamy

"The UK will do all we can to support the Ukrainian people. Putin must fail," she added.

The diplomatic efforts on the international stage comes as the UK Government faced domestic pressure to speed-up its efforts to grant safety to fleeing Ukrainians, with Labour criticising the process for being "painfully slow".

The Home Office on Friday confirmed that 8,900 applications for refugees to come to the UK via the Ukraine Family Scheme had been submitted since Friday, but that only 300 visas had been issued.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper tweeted: "That's shockingly low and painfully slow. Just 250 since yesterday.

"At this rate it would be weeks before many families reunite. Urgent action needed."

Separately, Michael Gove said Russian president Vladimir Putin could inflict worse pain on the Ukrainian people than he has already.

The Housing Secretary, speaking to LBC's Tonight With Andrew Marr programme, looked to downplay the threat of nuclear warfare but said Mr Putin had "a number of other options, all grisly, at his disposal before he ever goes anywhere near the use of... nuclear weapons".

His comments come after Ukrainian lawyers told the International Court of Justice that Moscow had resorted to "tactics reminiscent of medieval siege warfare" as Kyiv called for Western intervention to prevent further bloodshed.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Exclusive
Vladimir Kara-Murza speaks to Andrew Marr

Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza recalls 'longest day of his life' after historic prisoner swap between Russia and West

Mohamed Al Fayed's brother Salah accused of sexual assault and trafficking by former Harrods employees

Mohamed Al Fayed's brother Salah accused of sexual assault and trafficking by former Harrods employees

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Man who turned up outside Parliament in armour carrying samurai swords wanted to 'speak with Boris Johnson'

Basem Naim, a Hamas leader

Hamas prepared for 'immediate' ceasefire in Gaza but claims Israel has not offered any 'serious proposals' in months

London, UK. 9 October 2023. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaking during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/Empics/Alamy Live News

Rachel Reeves to 'rip up financial red tape' with pension 'mega funds' freeing up £80 billion for investment

Labour divided over assisted dying as MP who introduced bill hits out at Health Secretary

Labour divided over assisted dying bill as MP tabling legislation labels Wes Streeting's objections 'disappointing'

Reverend Sue Colman was asked to step back after the Makin Report found her and her husband Jason knew about John Smyth's abuse and failed to act

Mustard heir and Church of England minister wife step back from church roles after damning abuse report

File photo of Broadway Market, where the attack took place

Horror as 'man doused in bleach' in busy Hackney market with manhunt underway and attacker still at loose

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to string of sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Jack Bradley took part in the failed ram raid

Moment drug addict in 4x4 rams Tesco superstore in failed bid to steal safe, with terrified staff still inside shop

ZM712, a Boeing Apache AH2 operated by the UK's Army Air Corps, departing from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England after participating in the Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 (RIAT24).

Drunken soldiers caught during Apache cockpit romp spark military safety review

Eva Longoria, a Texas native, has said she is 'done' with the US after Trump's second election win

Eva Longoria reveals she has fled 'dystopian' America as Trump names radical right wing cabinet

Dog-free zones should be introduced to tackle racism, the Welsh government has been told.

Dog-free zones needed in countryside to tackle racism, Welsh government told

A 'major' suspected people smugger has been arrested in Amsterdam

'Major' Turkish supplier of small boats for Channel migrant crossings arrested as 'British FBI' swoop in airport

Clifton Suspension Bridge has quit Elon Musk's X after 15 years on the site.

Clifton suspension bridge dramatically departs from Twitter sparking wave of online jokes

Exclusive
Students take gap years and ‘neglect studies’ as survey suggests Edinburgh rents skyrocketed by nearly two thirds in a year.

Students take gap years and ‘neglect studies’ as survey suggests Edinburgh rents skyrocketed by nearly two thirds in a year