Below is a speech by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
The address followed a trilateral format with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir_Starmer, and NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte.
The three discussed joint weapons production and coordination to strengthen Ukraine and all of Europe against Russia’s aggression:
See the abridged statement below:
“Right now, there are 201 Ukrainians in the Middle East and the Gulf region. And another 34 are ready to deploy.
These are military experts, experts who know how to help, how to defend against “shahed” drones.
Our teams are already in the Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and on the way to Kuwait.
We are working with several other countries – agreements are already in place. We do not want this terror of the Iranian regime against its neighbors to succeed.
And I sent these military experts at the request of our partners – including the United States.
In fact, this is part of the Drone Deal we proposed to the United States, which we worked on together and which is still on the table.
And we are ready to offer similar deals to all our reliable partners – from practical cooperation on drones to future defense alliances.
And I don’t think anyone would want to leave Ukraine’s war-proven strength and capability outside their security.
If someone does, it wouldn’t be wise.
The United Kingdom sees these opportunities clearly – our agreements are always solid, and I’m glad that today we have signed a declaration with the Prime Minister.
Thank you very much, Keir.
About 3 years ago, Russia received “shaheds” from the Iranian regime.
These are drones designed for the low-cost destruction of the expensive critical infrastructure targets.
Iran taught Russia how to launch them and gave it the technology to produce them. Russia then upgraded them.
And now we have clear evidence that Iranian “shaheds” used in the region contain Russian components.
So what is happening around Iran today is not a faraway war for us – because of the cooperation between Russia and Iran.
And we do not believe we have the right to be indifferent – even if we are separated from human suffering or shared danger by an ocean, however big and beautiful, or by anything else.
Ballistic missiles can strike at thousands of kilometers. Drones can do the same.
But if evil wins, the evolution of war will cross any distance on earth – no ocean will help, no desert, no mountains.
That is why it is worth helping protect life. The regimes in Russia and Iran are brothers in hatred – and that is why they are brothers in weapons.
And we want regimes built on hatred to never win – in anything.
I have proof that the evolution of security can be fast – and cheaper than old defense systems.
This is an iPad with software that lets us control our security in real time. It’s true.
We have these iPads – I have one, my Prime Minister has one, our Minister of Defense, and our top military commanders – they have it.
It lets us see the front line in Ukraine, and even every enemy killed – with video proof.
Right now, 90% of Russian losses on the front are caused by our drones.
That’s why it’s so important to know who has the advantage in drones – and to be fast and strong in defending against them.
The iPad also shows every strike in our skies, our sea area, and our long-range strikes against Russia.
It gives us real-time control over people’s safety, and our infrastructure and energy sector.
And I believe the evolution of security will make it possible for every leader, every defense minister – and even ordinary people – to have tools like this, and with them, a high level of protection of life.
Leaders and ministers work for people. And if the leaders have power, it is only because people trust them with their security.
With tools like this, people will not only trust – they will be able to see for themselves what is being done for their security. In real time.
First, we are capable of producing at least 2,000 effective and combat-proven interceptors every day.
We can produce more – it depends on investment. We need about 1,000 interceptors a day, and we can supply at least another 1,000 a day to our allies.
Second, we know how to build radar and acoustic coverage to respond to how “shaheds” and other drones approach.
Third, we have software that allows radars to keep working even under electronic warfare jamming.
In real time, we analyze enemy frequencies and respond to them.
And because of this system, we understand how effective our defense is against almost every attack drone, and we can move our positions and air defense to get better results.
This iPad gives full control of the situation because we have a system for using our defense tools. If a “shahed” needs to be stopped in the Emirates – we can do it.
If it needs to be stopped in Europe or the United Kingdom – we can do it. It is a matter of technology, investment, and cooperation.
And the fact that we got through this winter – which Russia tried to make deadly for all our families – shows that our solutions work.
British military bases in Cyprus. This is what Ukraine’s security proposal could look like – our experts would place interception teams, and set up radars and acoustic coverage, and this would all work.
If Iran launched a large-scale attack – similar to Russian attacks – we would guarantee protection.
This is the kind of reinforcement we offer, and it may soon be needed across Europe.
And drones can be launched not only from land, but also from ships at sea.
Such long-range strikes are no longer rare. Different countries already use them.
And since European seas still have many tankers from Russia’s shadow fleet, launching drones from such vessels is no longer something unexpected.
We started with simple kamikaze sea drones. Then we built drones with turrets that can shoot down helicopters.
Now we have drones that can shoot down Russian fighter jets from the sea.
We have developed boats that carry other drones. We also have boats that strike targets on land from the sea.
And we are developing more stable drones that can operate longer and more effectively at sea.
Soon – and not in the distant future – we will have systems that can operate even in ocean conditions.
We are also actively working on underwater systems. So, facing threats in the Black Sea, we are finding the right security solutions.
These solutions can be used in your matters as well – including in complex situations like the Strait of Hormuz today.
Drones can solve problems that even a fleet sometimes cannot.
We must go further. We must build modern defense forces – together. Only together, with you, with our allies.
In Europe, we must produce all levels of air defense – against drones and all types of missiles, including ballistic.
Our seas must be secure, and our forces in other seas must be protected from all threats.
Europe not only has this potential – it also has a mission: to protect not only itself, but what it believes in.
We believe in people, in their rights and freedom. We believe in culture.
And we want nations to live in real peace, strong peace, and communities in respect.
Together, Europe is a global force – one the world cannot do without, and that no one can stand against.
We must grow this strength – and we can do it. And we must direct it – and we can.”
