Zelenskyy becomes first foreign leader to address cabinet in nearly 30 years
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky became the first world leader in 30 years to address the UK cabinet, our political correspondent Carl Dinnen reports
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was a "real piece of history" as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy became the first foreign leader to address cabinet since 1997.
Zelenskyy was greeted by the UK Cabinet with a standing ovation as he became the first foreign leader to address the ministerial meeting in person since Bill Clinton nearly 30 years ago.
Zelenskyy is also the first official visitor to Downing Street under Starmer's premiership, as the PM emphasises Britain's continued support for Ukraine.
“This is a very, very important meeting for us and you’re very welcome here,” the prime minister said. “It is a real pleasure and a privilege to be able to welcome you to Downing Street this morning. This is a real piece of history.”
He said the president becoming the first foreign leader of the 21st century to address Cabinet in person shows “the esteem you’re held in… in this country and around the world”.
During the meeting Zelenskyy asked Starmer to “show your leadership” and help with Ukraine’s “long-range capability”.
Zelenskyy stressed“if the restriction on western weapons is lifted” it would help Kyiv to strengthen its defence and secure its frontline positions.
He said “it is possible to destroy” areas in Russia where weapons are being concentrated.
The UK Government has suggested the deployment of British missiles is ultimately a matter for Ukraine, as long as international law is upheld.
At last week’s NATO summit, Starmer implied Ukraine could use the missiles against Russia, but Downing Street later clarified the policy on using Storm Shadow missiles remains unchanged.
Zelenskyy’s visit to Downing Street follows the European Political Community (EPC) summit at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, on Thursday, where 44 countries and the EU agreed to target Russia’s “shadow fleet” of tankers seeking to evade sanctions on Russian oil.
The group of around 600 vessels carries 1.7 million barrels of oil per day, providing funds for Moscow’s war effort while also allegedly acting as listening stations or transporting weapons for Russia.
The ships are often old and unsafe, and engage in dangerous practices such as turning off their location tracking systems, increasing the risk of a serious collision.
The PM said: “Alongside our European partners, we have sent a clear message to those enabling Putin’s attempts to evade sanctions: we will not allow Russia’s shadow fleet, and the dirty money it generates, to flow freely through European waters and put our security at risk.”
Speaking at the EPC summit on Thursday, Zelenskyy said the UK had been “one step ahead in its determination to support Ukraine” since the Russian invasion began.
He added: “This is the kind of resolve we need to stop Russian terror.”
On Thursday, the UK also sanctioned 11 oil tankers thought to be involved in evading sanctions, including the Rocky Runner, which previously sought to escape UK action by changing its operator.
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