Vale of Belvoir MP Alicia Kearns visits Kyiv and thanks President Zelensky and Ukrainians fighting for 'all our freedoms'

An MP has visited Ukraine to pay the respects of local people to President Zelensky and those who have been fighting for 'all our freedoms'.

Alicia Kearns, the MP for the Vale of Belvoir, met Mr Zelensky in Kyiv to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine.

During the visit, Ms Kearns also met Ukrainian war heroes, the country's defence secretary, energy minister and other parliamentarians to discuss the acceleration of international support, and actions to push out Russian forces and end the killing of civilians.

Ms Kearns also visited the liberated territories of Bucha and Irpin and thanked President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine for fighting on behalf of freedom.

Ms Kearns said: "As we marked 365 days of renewed Russian aggression, it was an honour to be in Kyiv to thank our Ukrainian allies for fighting for all our freedoms.

"This anniversary was not a day to celebrate, but to remember all those killed, reflect on the failure to deter Putin and commit again to Ukraine’s freedom.

“I was honoured to pay the respects of the people of Rutland and discuss with President Zelensky what more the people of Ukraine need.

“Despite the horrifying brutality witnessed, Putin’s hatred has forged new alliances and friendships across the globe and strengthened our resolve to defend the international rules-based order.

“After a year of mass murder, rape, torture and targeting of civilians, we must recommit to do everything we can to stand by our Ukrainian friends and give them the freedom that they deserve.

"We cannot allow more loss of life and it sits with us to end this.”