Thousands of protesters have gathered outside the Russian embassy in London to support Ukraine, amid increasing tensions between Washington and Kyiv.
Demonstrators were chanting ‘stop Russia, stop the war’ and ‘Russia is a terrorist state’, after marching to the embassy in Notting Hill on Saturday.
Others carried posters that read ‘Occupation is not peace! Do not betray Ukraine!’ and ‘Trump, Musk and Putin are in denial of the truth’.
It comes as the deadly conflict, sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February, 24, 2022, is set to enter its fourth year on Monday.
Britain has been a key backer of Ukraine since the start of the war, and has sanctioned Moscow, provided military and financial support.
However, tensions have escalated over the past week as President Zelensky met with US officials to try to determine a path to peace.
At the pro-Ukraine rally today, Martin Vincent, 68, said: ‘I’m not Ukrainian but I recognise the great danger they are in,’
‘We cannot abandon them it’s a duty for the UK to stand up with Ukraine,’ he added.
Thousands of protesters have gathered outside the Russian embassy in London to support Ukraine, amid increasing tensions between Washington and Kyiv
People take part in a protest outside the Russian Embassy in central London, to mark the upcoming three year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine
A man holds a ‘Putin kills’ placard outside the Russian embassy in Notting Hill on Saturday
Protestors march to the Russian Embassy to demand a withdrawal of Russian troops from all Ukrainian territory on February 22
Among the crowd were some Ukrainians, including Nataliya, a university student who did not want to share her last name for security reasons.
‘I feel so homesick and so vulnerable right now. I don’t know If I’ll be able to come back to my country,’ said Nataliya, wearing a floral crown in the yellow and blue of the Ukrainian flag.
‘What’s next? Uncertainty and uncertainty,’ she added.
Stella Robinson, 27, was ‘afraid of what might happen next’ as well. ‘This is not only Ukraine, this is Europe.’
‘We can’t turn a blind eye on the war just because Trump wants peace,’ added Robinson, referring to recent diplomatic talks between the US and Russia on the future of the war that have sidelined Kyiv and its European backers.
‘But what kind of a peace? Frankly, it’s terrifying,’ added the law student.
British public support for Ukraine remains strong, with 67 percent telling a YouGov poll last week that they want Ukraine to win the war.
Demonstrators were chanting ‘stop Russia, stop the war’ and ‘Russia is a terrorist state’, after marching to the embassy in Notting Hill on Saturday
Protesters hold placards and wave Ukrainian flags as they march towards the Russian embassy in central London on February 2
British public support for Ukraine remains strong, with 67 percent telling a YouGov poll last week that they want Ukraine to win the war (Pictured: Protesters at the march on Sunday)
People taking part in a protest outside the Russian Embassy in central London, to mark the upcoming three year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been killed since the start of the war, although the exact toll is unclear
And eight in ten Britons said it is ‘unacceptable’ for Ukraine not to be included in negotiations on the conflict, per the poll.
Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been killed since the start of the war, although the exact toll is unclear.
It comes as Trump last night signalled that the United States could abandon war crime prosecutions against Russia for invading Ukraine.
Washington recently proposed draft United Nations resolution calling for ‘swift end’ to the war on the third anniversary of the start of the conflict.
However, the Ukrainian president is reportedly not ready to sign a controversial minerals deal with Trump that could see him give away billions in critical elements and revenues.
A Ukrainian source told Sky News that there are ‘a number of problematic issues’ that need to be worked out.
‘The agreement is not yet ready to be signed, there are a number of problematic issues, and in the current form of the draft, the president is not ready to accept it’, they told the broadcaster.
‘Today, the drafts do not reflect a partnership in the agreement and contain only unilateral commitments by Ukraine.’
Protestoes march to the Russian Embassy to demand a withdrawal of Russian troops from all Ukrainian territory on February 22
A woman draped in a Ukrainian flag marches outside the Russian embassy on Saturday
People taking part in a protest outside the Russian Embassy in central London, to mark the upcoming three year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Demonstrators were chanting ‘stop Russia, stop the war’ and ‘Russia is a terrorist state’, after marching to the embassy in Notting Hill on Saturday
Just last night, Zelensky told a nightly video address that teams of American and Ukrainian negotiators are working on a draft agreement, signaling an imminent deal.
‘This is an agreement that can strengthen our relations, and the key is to work out the details to ensure its effectiveness,’ he said. ‘I look forward to the outcome – a just result.’
The exact terms are not yet clear, however Trump had been pushing for $500 billion worth of minerals in exchange for continued military support.