A banner branded the US president a ‘KGB agent’ with the code name President Krasnov
Hundreds of pro-Ukraine demonstrators gathered outside the US embassy in London on Wednesday to condemn former President Donald Trump over his stance on Ukraine and to call for the cancellation of his state visit to the UK.
The protest, organised by the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign alongside various Ukrainian organisations, saw around 200 people draped in Ukrainian flags and holding banners denouncing Trump’s policies. Among the placards were slogans such as “Turncoat Trump. Now we must rejoin the EU”, “TrumPutin: What an ugly cowardly team”, and “Occupation is not peace. Justice for Ukraine”.
A particularly striking banner branded the former US president a “KGB agent”, claiming he operated under the code name President Krasnov. The protesters repeatedly chanted “shame” as they called for stronger UK support for Ukraine and urged the British government to “stand firm” against Trump and his influence over Western policies on the ongoing conflict.
McDonnell: “We will not stand by”
Independent MP John McDonnell was the first to address the crowd, issuing a scathing critique of Trump’s recent interactions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“I was absolutely shocked and angered at the way President Zelensky was treated by Trump,” McDonnell said.
“We’ve never witnessed anything like that before. To be treated in such a dismissive and humiliating manner in the middle of a war situation is beyond disgraceful. It made us all very angry.”
McDonnell went on to condemn Trump’s decision to cut off crucial military aid to Kyiv, arguing that such an abrupt move “put thousands of lives at risk overnight”.
“What we’re here to say—to Americans and yes, even to Trump himself—is that people around the world will not stand by while a so-called peace is imposed by Putin and Trump, tearing Ukraine apart,” he said.
McDonnell accused Trump of attempting to “rip off” Ukraine’s natural resources and leaving the country vulnerable to Russian aggression.
“We want peace just as much as anyone else,” he continued. “But it must be a peace that the Ukrainians themselves agree upon. It must be a peace that ensures the country’s sovereignty and prevents this outrageous plundering of Ukraine’s resources.”
Addressing the UK government directly, McDonnell urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other European leaders to resist Trump’s pressure.
“We say to our own government and leaders across Europe—stand firm. Do not be bullied by Trump. Stand firm for the principles we all believe in: democracy and freedom.”
Trump-Zelensky rift deepens
The protest follows a tense confrontation last week between Trump and Zelensky at the White House, where the former US president reportedly dismissed Ukraine’s requests for further military assistance.
Trump has since attempted to downplay the incident, telling members of Congress that Zelensky had sent him a letter stating that Kyiv was ready to sign a “minerals agreement” with Washington at any time. However, Ukrainian officials have not confirmed such an agreement exists.
The Ukrainian president, for his part, has called for an urgent reset in relations with Washington. Speaking at a press conference earlier this week, Zelensky stated that it was “time to make things right” following the turbulent Oval Office meeting.
He also called on European nations to continue standing by Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, warning that “any wavering” from the West could have dire consequences for Ukrainian forces on the front lines.
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UK protesters demand action
Among the demonstrators outside the US embassy, many expressed frustration over what they perceive as Trump’s appeasement of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Anna Petrov, a 35-year-old Ukrainian living in London, said she felt “betrayed” by Trump’s recent actions.
“Trump is playing right into Putin’s hands,” she said. “This is not about politics—this is about survival. Ukrainians are fighting and dying for their country, and the last thing they need is the US abandoning them.”
Tom Harris, a British activist attending the protest, criticised the UK government for not taking a stronger stance.
“We’ve seen too much hesitation from our own leaders,” he said. “This is the moment to stand up, not to waver. The UK needs to be vocal in its opposition to Trump’s reckless policies.”
As the protest continued, demonstrators vowed to keep up the pressure on both the UK and US governments to maintain unwavering support for Ukraine.
“We won’t stop,” McDonnell told the crowd. “Because if we stop, Ukraine falls.”
