London landmarks were brightly lit in yellow and blue in a display of solidarity with Ukraine.
The colours of the Ukrainian flag were beamed on to the London Eye, Nelson’s Column and the water fountains in Trafalgar Square as people gathered at nearby Downing Street to denounce Russia’s invasion of its neighbour.
Many in the crowd carried homemade banners condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions, declaring their support for Ukraine, and urging the world to help.
Many draped themselves in blue and yellow, while others carried banners saying “Russians stand with Ukraine” and “I am Russian, I stand for Ukraine”.
The words “Stop Putin Save the World” and an image with the word “killer” beside a portrait of Mr Putin – mocked-up to look like Hitler – also featured on posters.
It comes after Prime minister Boris Johnson announced personal sanctions will “imminently” be levelled by the UK against Mr Putin and his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. This is on top of the sanctions package the UK announced on Thursday, according to a No 10 spokesman.
Mr Johnson told Nato leaders in a virtual meeting on Friday the UK would echo measures announced by the EU to target the Russian leader.
President Joe Biden said the US would be freezing the assets of Mr Putin and Mr Lavrov.
Mr Johnson, in a reference to Mr Putin’s wish to recover territory which previously fell under the USSR, said Russia was “engaging in a revanchist mission to overturn the post-Cold War order”.
Mr Johnson told allies “the UK would introduce sanctions against President Putin and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov imminently, on top of the sanctions package the UK announced yesterday”, according to the No 10 spokesman.
“He told the group that Mr Putin’s actions amounted to “a Euro-Atlantic crisis with global consequences,” the spokesman added.
