The Liberal Democrats have called on Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council to rename the street the Russian Embassy is located on. The new street name would be in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and a reminder to all those writing to or visiting the Embassy about the crimes committed by Putin over recent weeks.
A number of cities in Europe are currently changing the names of streets which house Russian embassies. For example, Vilnius, Lithuania, will change the name of the street the Russian embassy is on to “Heroes of Ukraine Street”. Tirana, Albania, will also call their street “Free Ukraine Street”, and Riga in Latvia is due to be called “Independent Ukraine Street”.
The street where the Russian Embassy in the UK is located on is Kensington Palace Gardens in the borough of Chelsea and Kensington. The Liberal Democrats are calling for it to be renamed “Zelensky Avenue” as the Ukrainian President is set to address the House of Commons today.
Last year, Tower Hamlet Liberal Democrat councillors called for the areas around the proposed new Chinese Embassy to be renamed "Tiananmen Square" and "Hong Kong Road".
Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: “Britain must shame Putin at every possible opportunity. Everyone visiting or writing to the embassy should be reminded of Putin’s murderous and destructive invasion of Ukraine.
“This small but meaningful gesture would match the outpouring of support from Londoners. Their offers to help refugees fleeing the horror of war has been truly inspiring and shown the capital to be a beacon of solidarity with Ukrainian people.
“By changing this road name we are showing yet again that London stands with Ukraine. I hope now the Government will do their part and ensure refugees from Ukraine are given safety here in Britain.”
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