Thousands of people have joined a march through central London to answer a call to arms by Volodymyr Zelensky to mark a month since the outbreak of war.
The Ukrainian president earlier this week called for world-wide protests against the illegal invasion of his country, which started on February 24.
Speaking in English, something he rarely does, he warned the war is “only the beginning” of Russia’s assault as several cities lay in ruins and thousands of people on both sides have been killed.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets today to answer his plea, joining similar events which were held worldwide this week.
One of the most striking things about today's protest is the sheer number of children draped in the colours of the Ukraine flag who have come out to support the besieged nation, according to MyLondon.
In London today protesters met at Park Lane before marching on Trafalgar Square, where they arrived at around 5pm this evening.
At the square, one demonstrator was seen holding a sign striped with the colours of the Russian and Ukrainian flags.
It reads: "Roubles for Tories. Rubble for Ukraine."
Another placard is emblazoned with a simple demand: "Stop the war. Ukraine is on fire."
London mayor Sadiq Khan closed the vigil this afternoon with a moving speech, where he said that "London has responded" to President Zelensky's call.
He told protesters: "President Zelensky of Ukraine asked people from across the world to take to the streets to show solidarity.
"He asked us to take up Ukrainian symbols, to show our support to Ukraine, to show our support for freedom, to show our support for life.
"He asked us to turn up in our squares. He asked us to be visible and heard. Well London has responded to that call."
Earlier, the mayor said he was 'embarrassed' by the UK response so far with the government bungling the acceptance of Ukraine refugees fleeing war."
Speaking to Sky News today, Mr Khan unveiled he would be allocating £1.1million to help support asylum seekers and refugees seeking sanctuary in the capital.
He told the vigil this afternoon: "We've got to be doing much, much more. We need to make sure that we have support for our schools, support for Ukrainians who may be traumatized and need medical attention, that we have support for housing.
"We've got to make sure that this isn't just a short-term fix. At the same time, we need to continue to be generous to charities in Ukraine."
He added: "We've seen over the last few days and weeks Londoners showing incredible generosity and sending a message loud and clear that London welcomes refugees." He added it is important "that we don't forget about Ukraine in the coming weeks and months as the media caravan moves on."
At 2.30pm the mayor's office tweeted: "The march has begun! Londoners are walking together from Park Lane to Trafalgar Square in solidarity with the people of Ukraine".
Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy lead a "Stand with Ukraine" chant at Trafalgar Square and received big applause for attack on "dirty Russian money" in UK politics .
People waving anti-war messages marched in the likes of Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Glasgow and Lithuania to show their fury at Vladimir Putin’s brutal war.
In Poland, where millions of people have fled to from the war-torn nation, thousands stood in the Main Square in Krakow.
London mayor Sadiq Khan said people “must answer the call”.
He added: “In an urgent video message, President Zelensky has called on the world to make a stand — for Ukraine, for freedom, and for peace.
"We must answer that call.
"This Saturday, one month on from President Putin’s criminal invasion , thousands will walk through the streets of London in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Will you join us?
"This is our chance to send a message that echoes around the world: London stands with Ukraine, and this atrocity must end now.”
It comes after President Zelensky’s stirring message to people around the world.
The Ukrainian leader said: “The war of Russia is not only the war against Ukraine. Its meaning is much wider.
“Russia started the war against freedom. This is only the beginning for Russia on the Ukrainian land..
"Russia is trying to defeat the freedom of all people in Europe. Of all the people in the world.
"It tries to show that only crude and cruel force matters. It tries to show that people do not matter.That's the reason we must all stop Russia, the world must stop Russia. The world must stop the war.
"One month already. That long. It breaks my heart, the hearts of all Ukrainians and every free person on the planet.
"That's why I ask you to stand against the war... Show your standing, come from your offices, your homes, your schools and your universities, come in peace.”
The United Nations has so far confirmed 1,081 civilian deaths and 1,707 injuries in Ukraine since the invasion but says the grim toll is likely higher.
Some 136 children have been killed so far during the invasion, Ukraine's prosecutor general office said on Saturday.
Russia's defence ministry said 1,351 Russian soldiers have been killed and 3,825 wounded, although Ukraine says the figure is much higher at around 15,000.
