PARIS: Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, made surprise trips to Britain and France on Wednesday to solicit support from the West for his nation. He made a dramatic speech to the British Parliament, calling for fighter jets to fight Russian invaders, before flying to Paris to have dinner with the leaders of France and Germany.

Zelenskiy will attend the EU summit on Thursday in Brussels with the leaders of the EU, which German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called a "signal of European solidarity and community."

While Ukraine prepared for an anticipated Russian offensive and formulated its own strategies to retake territory held by Moscow's forces, Zelenski's European tour and requests for more sophisticated weapons coincided. The surprising tenacity of Kyiv's defense has been largely attributed to Western support, and the two sides are locked in bloody combat.

As Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that fighter jets were "part of the conversation" about aid to Ukraine, Zelenskiy thanked the British people for their support since "Day One" of Moscow's invasion nearly a year ago.

At a news conference held in the evening at a British army base, he declared, "Nothing is off the table." "In the short term, we must arm Ukraine, but in the long run, we must strengthen Ukraine."

Zelenskyy claimed that Ukraine requires a variety of supplies, including long-range missiles and ammunition in addition to planes. On the Elysee Palace's steps on Wednesday night, Macron gave Zelenskiy a warm embrace before the three leaders went inside.
The visit marks a turnaround in Zelinsky’s relations with France and Germany, which earlier in the war were viewed by many in Ukraine as not doing enough to help.

"To win the war, Ukraine can rely on France, its allies in Europe, and its partners. Before their business dinner, Macron stated that "Russia cannot and must not win." Zelenskiy will attend the summit on Thursday in Brussels, where EU leaders will express their support for the Ukrainian people, according to a statement released by Macron's office.

Zelenskiy visited the capital cities of Europe on Wednesday, only his second trip abroad since Russia invaded on February 24, 2022. Prior to Zelinsky's speech to lawmakers in the 900-year-old Westminster Hall, the oldest and, on a chilly winter day, unheated, part of Parliament, they had conversations at the prime minister's 10 Downing St. residence.

He repeatedly thanked the Britons for their assistance, saying, "London has stood with Kyiv since Day One." More than 2 billion pounds ($2.5 billion) in weapons and equipment have been sent to Ukraine. He pleaded with allies to send jets to Ukraine while donning his signature olive drab sweatshirt, saying that such aircraft would serve as "wings for freedom."

The president was attempting to allay allies' reluctance to send advanced fighter jets because of how difficult they are to fly and their concern that doing so would escalate the conflict. The U.K. has argued time and time again that sending British warplanes to Ukraine is impractical. In a U-turn, the government announced on Wednesday that it was "actively looking" into sending Western jets to Ukraine and was "discussing the matter with our allies."

The government is looking into "what jets we may be able to give," according to Sunak spokesman Max Blain, but it hasn't decided whether to send its F-35 or Typhoons. "We believe it is appropriate to provide both short-term types of equipment... that can aid in winning the war now but also look to the medium to long term to ensure Ukraine has every capability it requires," he said. Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has been looking for Western fighter aircraft to supplement its force of MiG-29 and Su fighters made in the Soviet Union. Moscow's initial assault was repelled thanks in part to the success of its air force in defending its skies and territory in the face of superior Russian numbers.

In southwest England, at a base called Lulworth Camp, Sunak and Zelenskiy flew by helicopter to meet Ukrainian troops receiving training on the Challenger 2 tanks that the U.K. is sending as part of the hundreds Kyiv claims it needs. In the U.K., more than 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers have received training, and the country promises to train 20,000 more in 2023. To ensure that Ukraine has a military that can protect its interests in the future, Sunak said, "I am proud that today we will expand that training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots."

Zelenskyy also visited Buckingham Palace, where he met King Charles III. Before they had tea, the monarch gave him a warm greeting and a smile. He mentioned Charles' experience as a qualified military pilot in his speech to Parliament. Zelenskiy arrived at the Parliament, where his cause has widespread support, to cheers, applause, and shouts of "Slava Ukraini" (Glory to Ukraine).

Two weeks after the invasion began in March, he delivered a remote speech to the British Parliament.

He vowed that Ukrainians "will fight till the end at sea, in the air," echoing the famous "never surrender" speech of World War II leader Winston Churchill. No matter what, we will keep fighting for our land.

On Wednesday, he recalled how, on a prewar visit to London, he sat in Churchill’s chair in his subterranean wartime headquarters, and had a feeling that only now he understands: “It was the feeling of how bravery takes you through the most unimaginable hardships to finally reward you with victory.”

In past wars, “evil lost,” he told U.K. lawmakers. “We know Russia will lose and we we know victory will change the world.″

He also urged stronger sanctions against Moscow until “Russia is deprived of any possibility to finance this war.”

In conjunction with the visit, the U.K. government unveiled new sanctions against six organizations that it claimed provided military equipment to Russia. One of them was CST, a producer of Russian drones and components for helicopters used against Ukraine.

The visit to London took place as Russian forces were shelling parts of eastern Ukraine, according to Kyiv authorities, as part of a push by the Kremlin's forces ahead of the anniversary of the invasion. Moscow, meanwhile, thinks Ukraine is getting ready for its own offensive on the battlefield.