Londoners gather for Ukraine vigil as allies mark anniversary of war

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Hundreds of people gathered in London to hold a vigil on behalf of Ukraine as allies around the world prepared to mark the first anniversary of the war.

In Paris, the Eiffel Tower was lit up in the blue and yellow colours of Ukraine’s flag.

The messages come as tomorrow (Friday) marks a full year since the war broke out between Russia and Ukraine.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was met with cheers as he addressed the crowd in central London.

Earlier today he said Putin is ‘not going to stop’ and the war could last another year.

The anniversary is just a few weeks after President Zelenskyy visited the UK, and met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

He also met with the King for the first time and gave a rousing speech in front of MP’s in Westminster.

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People attend a vigil for Ukraine held on the anniversary of the conflict with Russia, at Trafalgar Square in London, Britain February 23, 2023. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls — Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the outbreak of war (Picture: REUTERS)

Speaking tonight Mr Wallace said: ‘This time last year we weren’t supposed to be here.

‘President Putin had a plan that in three weeks he would have dominated Ukraine, sent people to filtration camps and eventually have turned that country, your wonderful country, into merely a pawn for his ambitions.

‘All of you here from Ukraine, the bravery of your country’s men and women who have stood against this aggression, this illegal war, this challenge to freedom, democracy and human rights should be incredibly proud of what you are standing for.’

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Guy Bell/Shutterstock (13780325u) As the first anniversary of the illegal invasion approaches - Ukranians and Russians gather for a vigil in Trafalgar Square, to demand that Putin Stops the War in and invasion of Ukraine. Organised by the Ukrainian and US Embassies in the UK. Ukranians and Russians in Trafalgar Square demand Putin Stops The War., Trafalgar Square, London, UK - 23 Feb 2023 — The vigil was to show the world allies were united against Russia (Picture: Guy Bell/Shutterstock)

He added that all political parties in the UK ‘fully support’ efforts to ‘make sure Putin is defeated in Ukraine and his army is sent home’.

Mr Wallace told the crowd that Britain trained 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers last year and said it will train another 20,000.’

He went on: ‘Like Ukraine, Britain remembers what it was like to stand alone against overwhelming odds when many people thought we didn’t have a chance in 1939.’

Calling Ukrainian soldiers the ‘bravest of the brave’, he said: ‘You not only showed Russia, you showed us all when you stand up for human rights and your country anything is possible.’

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