<p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reached Brussels on Thursday as part of his surprise European tour that kickstarted on Wednesday with a trip to London and then Paris. In Brussels, Zelensky is expected to lobby EU leaders for jets and long-range weapons to shore up Kyiv's defences against the Russian invasion. He is also likely to talk about getting a quick start to EU membership for his country.</p>

<p>Zelensky is also due to address the European Parliament during his visit to the Belgian capital. He will then attend the regular summit of the 27 European Union heads of state and government.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, he met UK leaders in London and then inspected Ukrainian troops training on western war gear. Later, he flew to Paris where he dined with President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz. It was Zelensky's second overseas trip since the Russian military intervention began last year. He had earlier visited Washington in December.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-zelensky-repeats-demand-for-combat-jets-during-his-rare-visit-to-uk-560094">Russia-Ukraine war: Zelensky repeats demand for combat jets during his visit to UK</a></p>

<p>British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised him to train Ukrainian pilots on advanced NATO fighter jets. Macron and Scholz vowed continued support for Ukraine, with Zelensky once again pressing for advanced arms.</p>

<p>"France and Germany have the potential to be game changers and that's how I see our talks today," Zelensky said. "The sooner we get heavy long range weapons and our pilots get modern planes...the quicker this Russian aggression will end."</p>

<p>At a joint news conference, Sunak said "nothing is off the table" when it comes to supplying Ukraine with jets to fight Russia. He showed Zelensky the Challenger tanks London is sending to Ukraine alongside German-built Leopards.</p>

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<p><br />
While it seems unlikely that Zelensky will be able to secure immediate supplies, it is an opportunity to present his country's case in person since Russia's invasion nearly one year ago on February 24, 2022.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the EU leaders are expected to tell Zelensky about the 67 billion euros ($72 billion) they have spent on military and financial aid to Kyiv.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ukraine's army is facing a renewed Russian offensive and is stressing upon the need for modern western fighter jets to free its skies from Moscow.</p>

<p>"The sooner Ukraine gets long-range heavy weaponry, the sooner our pilots get planes, the sooner this Russian aggression will end and we can return to peace in Europe," Zelensky said in Paris.</p>

<p>"There is very little time," he warned.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reached Brussels on Thursday as part of his surprise European tour that kickstarted on Wednesday with a trip to London and then Paris.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reached Brussels on Thursday as part of his surprise European tour that kickstarted on Wednesday with a trip to London and then Paris. In Brussels, Zelensky is expected to lobby EU leaders for jets and long-range weapons to shore up Kyiv's defences against the Russian invasion. He is also likely to talk about getting a quick start to EU membership for his country. Zelensky is also due to address the European Parliament during his visit to the Belgian capital. He will then attend the regular summit of the 27 European Union heads of state and government. On Wednesday, he met UK leaders in London and then inspected Ukrainian troops training on western war gear. Later, he flew to Paris where he dined with President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz. It was Zelensky's second overseas trip since the Russian military intervention began last year. He had earlier visited Washington in December. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine war: Zelensky repeats demand for combat jets during his visit to UK British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised him to train Ukrainian pilots on advanced NATO fighter jets. Macron and Scholz vowed continued support for Ukraine, with Zelensky once again pressing for advanced arms. "France and Germany have the potential to be game changers and that's how I see our talks today," Zelensky said. "The sooner we get heavy long range weapons and our pilots get modern planes...the quicker this Russian aggression will end." At a joint news conference, Sunak said "nothing is off the table" when it comes to supplying Ukraine with jets to fight Russia. He showed Zelensky the Challenger tanks London is sending to Ukraine alongside German-built Leopards. × While it seems unlikely that Zelensky will be able to secure immediate supplies, it is an opportunity to present his country's case in person since Russia's invasion nearly one year ago on February 24, 2022. Meanwhile, the EU leaders are expected to tell Zelensky about the 67 billion euros ($72 billion) they have spent on military and financial aid to Kyiv. Ukraine's army is facing a renewed Russian offensive and is stressing upon the need for modern western fighter jets to free its skies from Moscow. "The sooner Ukraine gets long-range heavy weaponry, the sooner our pilots get planes, the sooner this Russian aggression will end and we can return to peace in Europe," Zelensky said in Paris. "There is very little time," he warned. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Zelensky reaches Brussels to pitch for jets, more weapons and EU membership

<p>Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky,&nbsp;in a mark of assertion of the country's&nbsp;will to stand against Russia, gifted a helmet from a Ukrainian fighter pilot to the UK House of Commons speaker on February 8. President Zelensky&nbsp;called for 'wings for freedom' from the UK and the rest of the world as he gifted the helmet inscribed with words, 'We have freedom, give us wings to protect it'. Initial reports on Zelensky's Britain visit have interpreted the helmet's inscription as Zelensky's plea to ensure continued military support in terms of 'wings' (airplanes) as Ukrainian forces continue their actions in the evolving battlefield of the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Kremlin is yet to react to Zelensky's Britain visit and the UK-Ukraine bilateral show of strength at London's center of power on February 8.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-to-visit-uk-on-wednesday-will-meet-prime-minister-rishi-sunak-559926">Ukraine President Zelensky arrives in UK, to meet King Charles III, address British parliament</a></strong></p>

<p>While addressing UK parliamentarians at Westminster Hall, inside the Palace of Westminster, home to Britain's House of Commons and House of Lords, Zelensky said that bravery 'rewards victory'. Zelensky also acknowledged the pro-Ukraine role of former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson during the initial months of the war.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added: "We know freedom will win. We know Russia will lose and this will change the world. I appeal to you and the world with simple yet most important words: combat aircraft for Ukraine, wings for freedom. London has stood with Kyiv since day one, from the first seconds and minutes of the full-scale war, Great Britain you extended your helping hand when the world had not yet come to understand how to react."</p>

<p>"Boris: you got others united when it seemed absolutely impossible. You didn’t compromise Ukraine and hence you didn’t compromise your ideals and thus you didn’t compromise the spirit of these great islands."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/zelensky-goes-to-us-why-is-it-important-545103">Zelensky goes to US: why is it important?</a></strong></p>

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<p>This was Volodymyr Zelensky's second foreign trip since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war last year, after a December visit to Washington. French President Emmanuel Macron's office said he would host Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Paris later in the day amid expectations that Zelensky would meet European Union leaders in Brussels on Thursday.</p>

<p>The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Zelensky are due to visit Ukrainian troops being trained on the Challenger 2 tanks that Britain is sending to Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a mark of assertion of the country's will to stand against Russia, gifted a helmet from a Ukrainian fighter pilot to the UK House of Commons speaker on February 8.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a mark of assertion of the country's will to stand against Russia, gifted a helmet from a Ukrainian fighter pilot to the UK House of Commons speaker on February 8. President Zelensky called for 'wings for freedom' from the UK and the rest of the world as he gifted the helmet inscribed with words, 'We have freedom, give us wings to protect it'. Initial reports on Zelensky's Britain visit have interpreted the helmet's inscription as Zelensky's plea to ensure continued military support in terms of 'wings' (airplanes) as Ukrainian forces continue their actions in the evolving battlefield of the country. The Kremlin is yet to react to Zelensky's Britain visit and the UK-Ukraine bilateral show of strength at London's center of power on February 8. ALSO READ | Ukraine President Zelensky arrives in UK, to meet King Charles III, address British parliament While addressing UK parliamentarians at Westminster Hall, inside the Palace of Westminster, home to Britain's House of Commons and House of Lords, Zelensky said that bravery 'rewards victory'. Zelensky also acknowledged the pro-Ukraine role of former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson during the initial months of the war. He added: "We know freedom will win. We know Russia will lose and this will change the world. I appeal to you and the world with simple yet most important words: combat aircraft for Ukraine, wings for freedom. London has stood with Kyiv since day one, from the first seconds and minutes of the full-scale war, Great Britain you extended your helping hand when the world had not yet come to understand how to react." "Boris: you got others united when it seemed absolutely impossible. You didn’t compromise Ukraine and hence you didn’t compromise your ideals and thus you didn’t compromise the spirit of these great islands." ALSO WATCH | Zelensky goes to US: why is it important? × This was Volodymyr Zelensky's second foreign trip since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war last year, after a December visit to Washington. French President Emmanuel Macron's office said he would host Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Paris later in the day amid expectations that Zelensky would meet European Union leaders in Brussels on Thursday. The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Zelensky are due to visit Ukrainian troops being trained on the Challenger 2 tanks that Britain is sending to Ukraine. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

With air force helmet as state gift to Britain, Zelensky pushes for more fighter airplanes

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Zelensky reaches Brussels to pitch for jets, more weapons and EU membership

With air force helmet as state gift to Britain, Zelensky pushes for more fighter airplanes