On 8 February 2023, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a historic address in Westminster Hall, calling on the British government to provide combat aircraft to resist Russia’s invasion.

Only a handful of leaders have made such an address in Westminster Hall in recent time, including Nelson Mandela (1996) and Barack Obama (2011).

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The speech was the centrepiece of a surprise visit to the United Kingdom, president Zelenskyy’s first since Russia’s full-scale invasion. But it was his second address to the UK parliament. In March 2022, just 13 days after the invasion, he spoke to the House of Commons by video link. On that occasion, the commons speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, broke with precedent citing “the exceptional and grave situation” in Ukraine.

One year later, Zelenskyy’s first speech on British soil followed a subdued session of prime minister’s questions in which both Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer, the Labour leader of the opposition, paid tribute to the Ukrainian president.

Sunak, the prime minister, referred to the “unbreakable friendship between our two countries”. Starmer said Zelenskyy symbolised the “heroism, the resolve, and the bravery of his people”.

Following PMQs, Hoyle suspended the sitting to allow MPs to migrate to Westminster Hall.

Zelenskyy, speaking in the historic heart of the Houses of Parliament, began his 20-minute address by thanking Britain for its support “since day one – from the first seconds and minutes of the full scale war.”

Zelenskyy stated: “I have come here and stand before you on behalf of the brave. On behalf of our warriors who are now in the trenches under enemy artillery fire. On behalf of our air gunners and every defender of the sky who protects Ukraine against enemy aircrafts and missiles.

“On behalf of our tank-men who fight to restore our Ukrainian border. On behalf of our conscripts who are being trained now, including here in Britain.

“Thank you, Britain! And who will be then deployed to the frontline – skilled, equipped and eager to win.”

In the most symbolic moment of the address, Zelenskyy presented the commons speaker with the helmet of a Ukrainian fighter pilot, inscribed with the words: “We have freedom, give us wings to protect it.”

Zelenskyy stated: “It’s the helmet of a real Ukrainian pilot. He is one of our most successful aces. He is one of our kings.”

The gesture was greeted with loud applause.

Hoyle had introduced Zelenskyy with an anecdote about their first meeting in October 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, when they had shared “much laughter over an English afternoon tea”.

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Zelenskyy also paid a personal tribute to Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, who was a prominent presence among the assembled audience. “Boris, you got others united when it seemed absolutely impossible”, he said. “Thank you!”

The Ukrainian president concluded with a direct appeal to the UK for the planes he said would be needed to win the war.

He declared: “I appeal to you and the world with simple and yet most important words: Combat aircrafts – for Ukraine! Wings – for freedom!…

“Leaving the British parliament two years ago, I thanked you for delicious English tea. I will be leaving the parliament today thanking all of you in advance – for powerful English planes.”