Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed British MPs in what has been deemed an “important opportunity” by the House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, writes Euronews.

“We shall go on to the end”, Zelenskyy said, evoking a famous “never surrender” speech by UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the same spot on 4 June 1940, as World War II raged across the continent.

Speaking by video from Ukraine to a packed House of Commons chamber, Zelenskyy urged Britain to increase sanctions on Russia and to recognize Russia as “a terrorist country”.

The MPs responded with a standing ovation.

A speech at the Common’s Chamber by a foreign leader is a rare occurrence. Zelenskyy requested to read a statement to the House of Commons, and it was widely expected that the Ukrainian leader would again call for a no-fly zone over the country.