The Ukrainian president met with the King in London this afternoon

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with King Charles on his visit to the UK.

Mr Zelenskyy met with the King after arriving in London earlier today.

The pair met at Buckingham Palace for the first time since the outbreak of war in Ukraine last year.

Giving a speech at Westminster Hall, Zelensky spoke of how bravery ‘rewards victory’ and issued a personal thanks to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

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 and 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.’

The Ukrainian leader’s visit to London comes as Vladimir Putin faces further humiliating losses on the battlefield.

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He met with the King as he visited London for the first time since the outbreak of war in Ukraine.