PRINCE William and Kate led poignant tributes from across the world yesterday to brave Ukrainians fighting for survival.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took to social media to personally recall a previous meeting with the nation’s president two years ago.
PANelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square was lit up with the iconic yellow and blue of Ukraine’s national flag
PAThe London Eye was also draped in the same tribute on the orders of the city’s mayor Sadiq Khan
ReutersKate and Wills tweeted: ‘Today we stand with the President and all of Ukraine’s people as they bravely fight for that future’
The royal pair tweeted: “In October 2020 we had the privilege to meet President Zelensky and the First Lady to learn of their hope and optimism for Ukraine’s future.
“Today we stand with the President and all of Ukraine’s people as they bravely fight for that future. W & C”
In London, Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square was lit up with the iconic yellow and blue of Ukraine’s national flag.
The London Eye was also draped in the same tribute on the orders of the city’s mayor Sadiq Khan.
Virgin boss Richard Branson added to British messages of support, tweeting: “Yes, it’s the weekend. But in Ukraine it’s anything but a weekend.
“Think for a minute of the children, the mums and dads, the young men and women bravely trying to defend their country, the wounded and the dying. Let all our thoughts be with them all this weekend.”
Most read in News Get a domain and hosting on dotifi.co.uk with Fr.ee Ad.verts powered by Advertis.co.uk
BATTLE
Live Ukraine updates: Russian forces 20m from Kyiv as 198 dead including 3 children
ON THE WARPATH
Putin’s NATO warning as other countries could face ‘military consequences’
DEATH MACHINES
Putin’s terrifying rockets that ‘explode’ enemy’s lungs ‘heading to Ukraine’
‘FIGHTING BACK’
‘Hundreds of Russians captured near Kyiv’ as Putin fails to take capital
BATTLESHIPS
Russian cargo ship SEIZED in English Channel for ‘violating EU sanctions’
UNDER SIEGE
Horror moment ‘Russian’ missile hits Kyiv home as 198 dead in Ukraine invasion
Meanwhile in Rome, the famous Colosseum also donned the brace of blue and yellow as a giant projector illuminated the landmark.
Similar tributes were seen at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the City Hall in Barcelona, the Palazzo Marino in Milan and Praça do Comércio in Lisbon.
Read our Russia – Ukraine live blog for the very latest updates
On television, The Simpsons released a specially commissioned cartoon of Homer, Bart and the rest of family holding blue and yellow flags in “solidarity” for Ukraine.
The show’s executive producer Al Jean said such swift release of a politically-motivated image “did not happen very often” — but it was important to be “vigilant about defending freedom”.
The cartoon was drawn by animator and director David Silverman.
As well as the tributes, there were protests across the world.
Hundreds gathered for a second day running near Downing Street urging stronger action.
Placards slamming Russia were held aloft as people sang the Ukrainian anthem.
In Syria, artists painted a mural condemning Russia’s invasion while demonstrators in Athens sang songs backing the Ukrainians.
Angry Poles set fire to a Russian flag in Warsaw and in Australia, Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station and other buildings were lit up in blue and yellow.
People attended a pro-Ukraine rally in front of the Chancellery in Berlin.
Similar crowds gathered outside the Russian embassies in Rome, Madrid and Amsterdam.
Protests grow as sanctions are biting
Communist MP Mikhail Matveev (pictured) says : ‘The war should be stopped’
RUSSIAN opposition to Putin’s Ukraine invasion was growing last night — enraging the tyrant and sparking a brutal clampdown.
Some 1,700 demonstrators were detained in Moscow and St Petersburg for backing global protests.
Police were seen grabbing many and dragging them away.
But some still spoke out against the president revealing that Western sanctions were biting.
Anya, 38, from Siberia, is waiting to receive £400 from London for translation work — but her sanctioned bank is banned from handling payments.
Curbs on foreign financial transactions and the plunging rouble has left luxury items in short supply.
Beautician Yulia, 23, of Sochi, found the cost of her make-up has soared 30 per cent.
She said: “The biggest horror is the death toll of innocent Ukrainians but Russians too — caused by a tyrannical leader who’s lost his marbles.”
Artur, 34, is hurt no iPhones are in Moscow shops.
An oil chief’s wife said: “My daughter’s due to fly to Britain for her studies. But Aeroflot’s banned there.”
Mum Veronika, 49, of St Petersburg, said: “We didn’t go abroad in the pandemic and booked Spain for a vacation. Sanctions mean it won’t happen. Putin has dachas, yachts and secret wealth.”
Public figures also blasted him.
Communist MP Mikhail Matveev said: “The war should be stopped.”
Moscow state theatre boss Yelena Kovalskaya quit saying: “It’s impossible to get paid by a killer.”
GettyTributes were seen at the Eiffel Tower in Paris
RexCrowds protested at Lisbon’s Praça do Comércio
SplashRome’s famous Colosseum donned the brace of blue and yellow as a giant projector illuminated the landmark
APThe Palazzo Marino in Milan was aglow in the fashion capital
ReutersBerlin’s Brandenburg Gate was lit up in solidarity
GettyThe City Hall in Barcelona was bathed in Ukraine’s yellow and blue
The Simpsons released a specially commissioned cartoon of Homer, Bart and the rest of family holding blue and yellow flags in ‘solidarity’ for Ukraine
Spread the love & Comment on Social Media !