'Russia will lose war: Ukraine President Zelenskyy in historic address to UK lawmakers

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the British people on Wednesday for their support since day one of Russia's invasion, and vowed that "freedom will win" in what would be a victory to "change the world."

Zelenskyy's daring to visit Britain in a bid for more advanced weapons comes as Kyiv braces for an expected Russian offensive and hatches its own plans to retake land held by Moscow's forces.

Hundreds of lawmakers and parliamentary staff packed the 900-year-old Westminster Hall, the oldest - and unheated - part of Parliament for Zelenskyy’s speech. It was only his second confirmed journey outside Ukraine since Russia invaded nearly a year ago.

Zelenskyy thanked former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in his speech, stating that he got "others united when it seemed absolutely absolutely impossible."

He went on to thank U.K. lawmakers for their "strong British character" in support for Ukraine during the early stages of the invasion.

The U.K. is one of the biggest military backers of Ukraine and has sent the country more than 2 billion pounds ($2.5 billion) in weapons and equipment.

The visit comes as U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that Britain will train Ukrainian pilots on “NATO-standard fighter jets.” Ukraine has urged its allies to send jets, though the U.K. says it’s not practical to provide the Ukrainian military with British warplanes.

Also watch: Ukraine forces targeted hospital in Moscow-controlled Luhansk; 14 dead: Russia