HERO leader Volodymyr Zelenskis addressing Parliament in a surprise whirlwind visit to the UK - the first since Russia invaded Ukraine last year.
Mr Zelensky, dressed in his trademark olive-green top, was greeted by rapturous applause by the MPs and Peers in Westminster Hall after disembarking from a military transport plane at Stansted Airport, located north of London.
Downing Street said the surprise visit would see Zelensky meet the PM and visit Ukrainian troops before meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace this afternoon.
It comes after Rishi Sunak announced plans to train Ukrainian pilots, paving the way for them eventually being able to fly sophisticated Nato-standard jets, a key request from Mr Zelensky.
Mr Sunak said: "President Zelenskyy's visit to the UK is a testament to his country's courage, determination and fight, and a testament to the unbreakable friendship between our two countries. Since 2014, the UK has provided vital training to Ukrainian forces, allowing them to defend their country, protect their sovereignty and fight for their territory."
Read our Ukraine war blog below for the latest news...
Sir Lindsay Hoyle introduces Mr Zelensky
The Speaker of the House of Commons is introducing Volodymyr Zelensky, thanking him for speaking to Parliament during the first weeks of the war.
"The war, as you know better than any of us, has lasted for almost a year," he said.
"As you told us last year, this is a war Ukraine did not start," he added.
Zelensky walks out to rapturous applause
Mr Zelensky is receiving a standing ovation from the crowd as he makes his way to the front of the grea\t hall.
The crowd wooped and cheered as he took centre stage.
Speech is about to start
President Zelensky is due to talk un five minutes' time.
It's the first time the Ukrainian president has addressed MPs and Peers in person.
We'll have all the live updates of the speech right here.
Pictured: MPs and Peers pack into Westminster Hall ahead of Zelesnky's speech
Sunak hopes to see war crime indictments linked to Russia 'very shortly'
Rishi Sunak said he is hopeful of seeing the first International Criminal Court (ICC) indictments linked to Russia's renewed invasion of Ukraine "very shortly".
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer asked Mr Sunak if he agreed that "Putin and all his cronies must stand at The Hague and face justice" once the war is over.
Mr Sunak replied: "He's absolutely right that we must hold those to account for the horrific crimes that they have committed.
"I'm proud the United Kingdom has played, again, a leadership role in this regard being one of the first countries to provide financial and technical support, putting investigators on the ground, we're shortly to be hosting a conference together with the Dutch.
"And also one of the things I discussed with President Zelensky this morning is our support for the work of the ICC where, thanks to the efforts of UK members, I'm hopeful we will see the first indictments very shortly."
Labour leader 'welcomes' PM's extra support for Ukraine
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "Can I welcome the additional support the Prime Minister has outlined today. I've had the privilege, I'm sure he has, of seeing first hand the brilliant work our military is doing Salisbury to train Ukrainians in defending themselves.
"We all support this work and the UK's role in the international drive to ensure that Ukraine has the weapons and the technology required to defend herself. Does he agree that continuing this international effort is the only way to ensure Putin's defeat?"
Rishi Sunak replied: "The House may not all be aware that actually we have continued to train Ukrainian soldiers because it's something that we have done for years before the conflict started and something that we should be very proud of.
"But obviously we've intensified those efforts, last year we trained 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers through Operation Interflex. This year the Defence Secretary announced that (in) last year we'll be training 20,000 Ukrainian soldiers in addition to the marines and air force pilots that I mentioned earlier.
He added: "This has been an international effort. One thing that is a mark of UK leadership in this particular area is that around a dozen other countries have all come here to the UK to take part in our training programmes to support Ukrainian soldiers.
"Many members from around this House will have visited in their constituencies that effort. It's something that's making an incredible difference on the ground and I know something that President Zelensky is incredibly grateful for."
PM faces calls to ban Wagner Group as a 'symbolic' gesture
The Prime Minister faced calls to ban the Wagner mercenary group as a "symbolic" gesture on the day of President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit.
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey told the Commons: "When President Zelensky addressed this House last year, he asked that we treat Russia as a terrorist state. Since then, Liberal Democrats have been urging the Government to fulfil that request by proscribing the Wagner mercenary group.
"They are doing Putin's bidding carrying out atrocities against Ukrainians on a daily basis. So on this symbolic day will the Prime Minister finally commit to proscribing the Wagner Group, a crucial part of treating Russia as the rogue state that it is?"
Rishi Sunak replied: "We have taken a lead from the beginning of this conflict in sanctioning and taking action against those entities connected with the war effort in Russia and beyond.
"With regard to Wagner Group he will know that we have already sanctioned the Wagner Group in its entirety as well as taking specific action against particular leaders, as he will know.
"With regard to proscriptions, it is not something that we would routinely comment on in public, but rest assured we continue to keep all of the proscriptions that we have under review."
Boris Johnson welcomes Zelensky back to the UK
Former Prime Minister Bors Johnson has welcomed the Ukrainian president back to the UK.
He tweeted: "Welcome back to the UK @ZelenskyyUa.
"Look forward to hearing you address Parliament."
PM tells house of his 'pride' at coming together to support Ukraine
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the country and Commons can be "proud that we came together to stand by Ukraine when the moment mattered".
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "This House is honoured to be addressed today by President Zelensky. From the outset of the war he has symbolised the heroism, the resolve, and the bravery of his people.
"The Prime Minister and I joined this House together in 2015. We've lived through important moments in our domestic and international politics. But none of those experiences compares to the pain and suffering of the people of Ukraine.
"Does the Prime Minister agree with me that right across this House it is vital that we all continue to stand together in full support of Ukraine?"
"It's something that not only the whole country can be proud of, but the entire House can be proud that we came together to stand by Ukraine when the moment mattered, and that we will continue to stand with them, united, as one Parliament and one United Kingdom."
Sunak tells PMQ's: 'We will continue to stand with Ukraine'
The Prime Minister is addressing the House of Commons in his weekly Prime Minister's Questions slot.
Mr Sunak told MPs: "I am delighted that President Zelensky is here in the United Kingdom today.
"It is a testament to the unbreakable friendship between our two countries and I am proud that we are expanding the training for Ukrainian forces to include jet pilots and marines, and ensure that Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests today and in to the future."
Keir Starmer says the whole house wants to thank the British Armed Forces for their "superb" job of training the Ukrainian military.
Sunak 'has lots to discuss' with President Zelensky
Rishi Sunak said he had "lots to discuss" with Volodymyr Zelensky as he welcomed the Ukrainian President to Downing Street.
Standing in front of the UK and Ukrainian flags in No 10's White Room, the two leaders shook hands in front of the cameras ahead of their private talks.
The Prime Minister said: "Great pleasure to welcome my friend President Zelensky to the UK.
"We've had a good chat already, we've got lots to discuss over the course of this day about how we can continue to support Ukraine in their struggle against Russia.
"It's a privilege to have you here, Volodymyr.
"We want to stand by you throughout this conflict and ensure that you're victorious."
Which Russian elites and businesses are being sanctioned by UK?
Several manufacturers, companies and top figures have been targeted by the UK in the latest round of sanctions to hit Russia since the invasion of Ukraine.
The sanctions come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits the UK, meeting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and addressing Parliament.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that the new sanctions would "accelerate the economic pressure on (Vladimir) Putin".
The sanctions target organisations and businesses that the Foreign Office said were relied upon by the Russian military to back the invasion of Ukraine, with several individuals also targeted.
Among those sanctioned include CST, a manufacturer of Russian drones, as well as RT-Komplekt, which produces parts for helicopters deployed in the conflict.
Oboronlogistics, which the Foreign Office said organises transport and delivery for Russian military equipment, was also hit with sanctions alongside Universalmash and Lipetsk, both linked to anti-aircraft missile infrastructure manufacturing.
Software company Topaz was also sanctioned.
Zelensky says it's an 'honour' to visit the UK
Volodymyr Zelensky said it was a "great honour" to be visiting the UK as he thanked the country for its support.
Speaking in No 10's White Room ahead of bilateral talks with Rishi Sunak, the Ukrainian President said: "Thank you so much Rishi for inviting me and for me great honour to be here in Britain.
"And thanks Britain for society first of all for your big support from the first days of full-scale invasion.
"Thank you so much. We are proud really and we have very good relations with Rishi."
Mr Zelensky added that the two leaders would continue their dialogue which he said was "very important for security of our country and of the course the security for the world".
Zelensky hails Britain as 'one of the first' countries to aid Ukraine
Mr Zelensky hailed Britain as "one of the first" countries to support Ukraine after Russia invaded, on his first visit to London since the war broke out nearly a year ago.
He posted: "The United Kingdom was one of the first to come to Ukraine's aid.
"And today I'm in London to personally thank the British people for their support and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his leadership."
The hero Ukrainian leader has just entered Downing Street after landing at Stansted Aiport approximately an hour ago.
BREAKING: Zelensky arrives at Downing Street
The hero president waved to cameras as he posed with Mr Sunak on the doorstep of No.10.
Mr Zelensky did not answer calls from reporters outside Downing Street on a range of issues such as fighter jets and military aid.
UK 'wants to support Ukraine's defensive needs' through pilot training
The expansion of the UK's training programme to include jet fighter pilots is significant as Mr Zelensky has been urging Western nations to supply planes.
The UK has so far refused, arguing that the RAF's F-35 and Typhoon jets take too long for pilots to train on.
But the announcement by No 10 signals a shift for the future, and officials said that "as part of that long-term capability investment" the UK will work with Ukraine and international allies "to co-ordinate collective support to meet Ukraine's defensive needs".
Pilot training part of the Government's 'two-pronged approach' to military aid
Ukrainian pilots are to be trained by the UK to fly sophisticated Nato fighter planes in the latest show of support for Volodymyr Zelensky's forces.
The UK will also offer an intermediate training programme for Ukrainian marines and has promised an "immediate surge" of military equipment including longer-range weapons.
The latest announcements came as President Zelensky made his first visit to the UK since Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
Downing Street said the Government is following a "two-pronged" approach, with more military kit now to counter a spring offensive by Russia, with long-term support for the future.
Although Ukraine is desperate for fighter jets immediately to counter the Russian air force, the length of the required training means that No 10 has said the pilot programme is a "long-term capability investment".
The training will ensure pilots are able to fly sophisticated Nato-standard fighter jets in the future.
Red carpet rolled out for President Zelenksy at Downing Street
President Zelenksy is on his way to Downing Street after meeting the PM at Stansted Airport.
Outside No.10, media is gathering and a red -carpet is being laid out on the doorstep if the world-famous residence.
Mr Zelenksy is due to address Parliament at 1pm, after Prime Minister's Questions.
Cleverly: Ukraine will 'not break under tyrannical invasion'
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: "Ukraine has shown Putin that it will not break under his tyrannical invasion. He has responded by indiscriminately striking civilian areas and critical national infrastructure across the country.
"We cannot let him succeed. We must increase our support."
He added: "These new sanctions accelerate the economic pressure on Putin - undermining his war machine to help Ukraine prevail. I am determined, consistent with our laws, that Russia will have no access to the assets we have frozen until it ends, once and for all, its threats to Ukraine's territorial sovereignty and integrity."
Foreign Secretary announces fresh wave of sanctions against Russia
Britain's foreign secretary, James Cleverly, has announced a fresh round of sanctions against the Russian military and some Kremlin figures, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky makes a visit to the UK.
The sanctions package hits six entities the Foreign Office said provided military equipment such as drones to the Russia government, as well as eight individuals and one entity linked to Russian financial networks.
Rishi hugs Zelensky as he lands in UK
Zelensky, dressed in his trademark olive-green top, was hugged by Sunak after disembarking from a military transport plane at Stansted airport north of London.
The UK government said it would offer advanced training for Ukrainian fighter jet pilots and marines, as Western allies debate stepping up military aid for Kyiv against a feared Russian offensive in the east.
After London, EU officials hope Zelensky will visit Brussels on Thursday, in the buildup to the one-year anniversary on February 24.
Rishi Sunak welcomes Zelensky at Stansted Airport
Rishi Sunak greeted Volodymyr Zelensky as the Ukrainian president arrived in the UK.
The PM tweeted a picture of the pair greeting each other.
In the image, Mr Sunak is seen embracing his Ukrainian counterpart at Stansted Airport."Welcome to the UK, President Zelensky," he tweeted.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in UK
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday arrived in the UK, television images showed.
The surprise visit marks his second overseas trip since the Russian invasion of his country.
Sky News and BBC images showed his motorcade leaving an aircraft after arrival at Stansted airport, northeast of London.
Zelensky is due to meet King Charles III during his visit, Buckingham Palace said. He will also hold talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and address parliament.
