The House of Commons broke tradition on Wednesday during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) with a long standing applaud which lasted for two minutes, as the Ukraine ambassador was welcomed into the Chamber.
The Ukrainian ambassador Vadym Prystaiko received a rapturous applause in the Commons in an unprecedented show of support and respect to the Ukrainian people.
The Speaker of the House Sir Lindsay Hoyle said that MPs are not allowed to do so in the Commons but it was “quite right” on this occasion.
The Speaker of the House of Commons said, “We generally do not allow applause in this chamber but on this occasion, the House quite rightly wants to demonstrate our respect and support for your country and its people in the most difficult of times.”
The Ukrainian ambassador to the UK is given a standing ovation as he watches PMQs in the House of Commons gallery.https://t.co/X3flQUBL0r
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Addressing the House of Commons the Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “Putin has gravely miscalculated.
“In his abhorrent assault on a sovereign nation, he has underestimated the extraordinary fortitude of the Ukrainian people and the unity and resolve of the free world in standing up to his barbarism.
“The UN General Assembly will vote later today and we call on every nation to join us in condemning Russia and demanding that Putin turns his tanks around.”
Johnson added, “If instead Putin doubles down then so shall we, further ratcheting up economic pressure and supporting Ukraine with finance, with weapons, and with humanitarian assistance.
“Today the Disasters Emergency Committee is launching its Ukraine appeal and every pound donated by the British people will be matched by the Government, starting with £20 million.”
He told MPs and the ambassador that had he told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today via a call, that the UK would “do everything we can to accelerate our transfer of… the weapons.”
The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also paid tribute to the resistance Ukraine has put on since Russia launched its invasion last week.
The Labour leader said, “They remind us that the Russian people are not our enemy, they are the victims of thieves who have stolen their wealth and stolen their chance of democracy.
“For too long Britain has been a safe haven for stolen money. Putin thinks we’re too corrupted to do the right thing and put an end to it.”
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