“Yes, and...” is the most important principle in improvisational theatre. Performers need not necessarily agree, but this rule of thumb encourages the free flow of ideas and, hopefully, laughs. It is also the hitherto remarkably successful strategy employed by Ukraine’s President on the world stage as he seeks to win a war and secure the very notion of his country.
Volodymyr Zelensky may say “thank you” rather than “yes”, but there is always an “and”. Britain has provided money, trained military personnel and recently became the first country to promise western tanks in the guise of Challenger IIs. But the Ukrainian President wants more.
Speaking in Westminster Hall, Zelensky called for a “coalition of the planes” to defeat Russia. He is fully aware that only last month, both Downing Street and the White House rejected Kyiv’s calls for fighter jets such as the US-made F-16.
But this is not mere optimism bias – the recent history of Western military assistance to Ukraine is paved with crossed red lines. And Boris Johnson, whom Zelensky singled out for praise, is in favour. While Rishi Sunak has agreed to train Ukrainian pilots.
Watching the speech, my main observation was that Zelensky never misses an opportunity to gain an inch of rhetorical territory. Even the gift he handed to Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle – a Ukrainian pilot’s helmet – included a request for something. On it contained the words: “We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it”.
And Ukraine’s president finished his speech by noting that, when he last visited Parliament in 2020, he thanked the Speaker for “delicious English tea”. But that he would be leaving London today “thanking all of you in advance for powerful English planes.” He received a laugh – and a round of applause.
But Zelensky was deadly serious. Vladimir Putin wants, at a bare minimum, the entirety of the Donbas. He may not have given up even on more maximalist goals – do not forget the initial war aim was to invade and then subjugate all of Ukraine.
Post-mobilisation, Putin’s army enjoys a much higher force density than it did just months ago. A major Russian offensive may be only weeks away. Meanwhile, the BBC reports that the Russians are continuing to make advancements around the eastern city of Bakhmut, which has seen fierce fighting for months.
Ultimately, Zelensky does not have time to act coy. This was not a speech by a former president or victorious war leader. It was that of a man who still needs to win the war. And to achieve that, he needs arms. An audience with the prime minister, in the ancient Westminster Hall, was not the time for Zelensky to be, well, English about it.
Elsewhere in the paper, residents in Croydon have launched a petition against the local authority’s plans to increase council tax by a record 15 per cent from August. The bankrupt council has received special dispensation from the government to raise the charge above 5 per cent without a referendum.
In the comment pages, Ayesha Hazarika worries that the frequency of stories about violence against women and girls is numbing us, as what should be a watershed moment simply washes over.
James Kirkup says if you scratch the surface, you will see the whole Tory party is on general election manoeuvres. While Homes & Property Editor Prudence Ivey advises us to have a fun wedding party, because your boring mortgage years can wait.
And finally, Valentine’s Day SOS: Where (and how) to bluff your way through the big day, from the Reveller team.
