Thousands of protesters gathered outside the Russian Embassy in London, urging the international community not to “betray Ukraine” as they marked the third anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion.
The rally, attended by a coalition of Ukrainian community groups and UK-based labour organisations, called for the withdrawal of Russian troops and increased military aid to Ukraine.
The protest comes amid concerns that Ukraine is being excluded from peace talks between Moscow and US President Donald Trump, leaving it vulnerable to occupation.
Organisers of the march issued a joint statement, saying Ukraine has not received sufficient aid to defeat Russia and is being “expected to consign its own citizens to occupation under a deal imposed by Trump”.
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Breaking: PM tells Zelensky he will discuss safeguarding Ukrainian sovereignty with Trump
As the protest outside the Russian embassy contiues, we’ve had some breaking news from Number 10.
Downing Street says Sir Keir Starmer has told Volodymyr Zelensky he would discuss the importance of safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty in talks with Donald Trump next week.
The PM insisted Kyiv’s voice must be at the heart of any peace negotiations and said he would be “progressing these important discussions” on his visit to the White House.
He reiterated that Ukraine has Britain’s “ironclad support”, Downing Street added.
‘Kim Jong-Putin’
One placard takes aim at Vladimir Putin by likening him to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The sign shows a drawn portait of the Russian President sporting Mr Kim’s haircut.
The placard reads: “Kim Jong-Putin… aka ‘Bunker Grandpa’… Never forget… Never forgive.”
Pyongyang is estimated to have sent around 11,000 troops to Ukraine to support Russia’s war.
(Image: PA)
Photos from outside the embassy
Photos from outside the Russian embassy show the number of protestors that have gathered.
Many can be seen carrying placards and holding flags.
(Image: PA)
(Image: PA)
‘There can be no peace without the agreement of Ukraine’
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell addressed the pro-Ukraine rally ahead of the march to the Russian embassy.
The Labour MP told the crowds: “There can be no peace without the agreement of the Ukrainians themselves and any peace has to be on the basis of terms that they agree.
“There can be no peace imposed by Trump or Putin, and we have a role here in our own city, our own country, to make sure our Government stands firm.
“Keir Starmer is going to meet Trump this week, so we want to say to him, take a clear message – this country, the UK, will never sell out the Ukrainian people. We will always stand firm with them.”
US and Russian officials have held talks in Saudi Arabia but Ukraine was excluded.
Images show thousands marching through London
Pictures and videos posted online show the scale of the demonstration which comes just days before the third anniversay of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
‘Occupation is not peace! Do not betray Ukraine!’
Demonstrators have been chanting “stop Russia, stop the war”, “occupation is no peace”, and “Russia is a terrorist state”.
Many of the protesters were carrying posters which state: “Occupation is not peace! Do not betray Ukraine!”
According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russia controls around 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Earlier this week US President Donald Trump told the BBC that he believes Russia has “the cards” in any peace talks to end the war because Russia has “taken a lot of territory”.
Another protestor carried a placard which read: “Trump, Musk and Putin are in denial of the truth.”
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said it is “unrealistic” to expect Ukraine to return to its pre-2014 borders.
Thousands gather outside Russian embassy
Thousands of protesters have gathered outside the Russian embassy to oppose Moscow’s war against Ukraine.
The protestors assembled at a statue of St Volodymyr, a national saint of Ukraine, near Holland Park, before marching to the Russian embassy in central London.
Protesters at the front of the march were carrying a banner which said “Russian Troops Out! Solidarity with Ukraine”.
