The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is facing calls to rename the London street where the Russian Embassy is located “Zelensky Avenue” as a gesture of solidarity with Ukraine following Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
The Lib Dems made the public appeal to the west London council as the Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky prepares to make a historic virtual address to MPs in Parliament later on Tuesday.
The party added that following the invasion, a number of cities in Europe have announced they are changing the names of streets which base Russian embassies. 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 Russian Embassy is located on one of London’s most expensive streets, Kensington Palace Gardens. The embassy has been the setting for anti-war protests since Russia’s assault on Ukraine started last month with the property’s walls covered in chalk-written messages, drawings of Ukrainian flags, and splattered with eggs and fake blood.
<p>Anti-war protesters attach sunflowers to barriers in front of the Russian embassy in London</p>
Anti-war protesters attach sunflowers to barriers in front of the Russian embassy in London / REUTERS
As well as other embassies, the road is also home to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who has announced plans to sell the Premier League club as pressure grows on Russian oligarchs with close links to the Kremlin. MPs passed new legislation on Monday which will streamline the process for imposing sanctions on wealthy Russian individuals with ties to Mr Putin and his regime.
Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran MP told the Evening Standard: “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.”
It is understood an application to change the name has yet to received by Kensington and Chelsea.
A council spokesperson said: “We share the world’s anger at Putin’s assault on Ukraine and are horrified at the plight of the men, women and children caught up in the conflict. It is actions rather than symbolism that they desperately need now.
“Kensington and Chelsea already shares a special bond with the people of Ukraine, with the country’s rich culture and history represented on our streets through the likes of the Ukrainian Social Club and Statue of Saint Volodymyr on Holland Park Avenue.
“Our borough is also home to the Ukrainian Embassy and we have written to the Ambassador to offer any support we might be able to provide. Just like we did for Afghanistan last summer, this Council stands ready to support people fleeing conflict and persecution.”
Last year, Tower Hamlets Lib Dem councillors called for the areas around the proposed new Chinese Embassy to be renamed “Tiananmen Square” and “Hong Kong Road”.
