Most of the front pages of the leading British media are devoted to the unexpected visit of President Volodymyr Zelenskyi to Britain, describing him as powerful, extraordinary, emotional and heroic — writes Air force.
Many associate the current visit with an attempt to speed up the provision of promised weapons to Ukraine, as well as the desire to remove the last taboo - on combat aircraft.
The Guardian і Financial Times headlined Zelenskyi's call to provide fighter jets to the Ukrainian army, calling them "wings of freedom" necessary to protect against Russian aggression.
The Sun published a photo of Volodymyr Zelenskyi meeting with King Charles III under the caption "Thanks for the tea... Now give me your planes."
According to Daily Mail і Daily Express, this call puts some pressure on the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak.
However, Sunak himself, unlike other Western leaders, does not consider such a development impossible, he writes The Guardian.
“As for fighter jets, of course they are part of the conversation and we have discussed them earlier today. We announced today that we will train Ukrainian pilots to NATO standards, because the first step in delivering the latest aircraft is to train the pilots and personnel who can use them. This process takes some time. We are starting this process today. Nothing can be ruled out." Sunak said.
He also added that Britain's goal is to win Ukraine on the battlefield this year.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke for the immediate transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine, he writes the Express. He said that Zelenskyi's "powerful and impassioned appeal" must be heard and that it was time for Kyiv to get "what it needs to finish the job" against Russia.
The Russian Embassy, in turn, has already stated that this step "will have consequences for the entire European continent", notes edition i.
The British press paid special attention to the speech of the Ukrainian president before the British legislators.
Zelenskyi addressed the deputies of both houses of parliament in Westminster Hall, a historic building where important state events of Great Britain take place.
Observer The Times Quentin Letts writes that the Ukrainian leader's speech was a huge success, and he himself is considered a "warrior" of the time of William the Conqueror.
In the parliament, he was greeted with a standing ovation and invited to the stage with the words "Glory to Ukraine!", which the speaker of the parliament pronounced in Ukrainian.
The Independent compared the appearance of Zelensky with the performance of the king of rock and roll Elvis Presley.
"When his army boots slowly made their way up the stairs and the crowd got their first glimpse of that famous camo uniform, it felt like a rock star had stepped onto the Grand Ole Opry stage.", - writes the publication.
"You can see how Zelensky is purposefully moving. It's like every step in front of him is another on the road to victory, and he'll get there, no matter how long it takes.".
The Ukrainian president was seated in the place where the new king of Britain was received a few months ago.
"Now this is a kind of throne for the man who became the prince of the free world." - writes the publication.
Among the audience, in addition to current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, there were also previous Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Theresa May.
Zelensky thanked Boris Johnson separately for his support at a time when "it seemed impossible." He also thanked the current prime minister for continuing the policy of unity with Ukraine.
