SOUTHAMPTON protesters are calling on world leaders to hold peace talks to end the conflict in Ukraine.
Campaigners held a 'Stop the War' protest at the Bargate and called for "peace, not escalation".
Today's protest was organised by the Southampton People's Assembly and took place at around 12pm.
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A protestor, Tony Twine, told the Echo: "There's the human cost of this Ukraine war. There are so many people who have died because of this.
"It's obscene. I can't even begin to think of the suffering of the people who are involved in the war.
"This war shouldn't have taken place, and they (Ukraine) are not going to forget this.
"This is a massive conflict that threatens to escalate into nuclear war.
"And we've got to stop this."
"We need to stop sending arms and weapons to Ukraine but instead offer humanitarian aid.
"Humanitarian aid is actually negotiating peace and rebuilding these regions."
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Another protester, Helen Field, added: "This war could have been avoided.
"US, Russia, and Ukraine could have had talks right at the beginning.
"What really concerns me is that I'm never hearing a call for peace talks.
"I'm horrified because I can see it escalating into World War III, and then that's only a short step to a nuclear war as well.
"So that's why we're out today because I can't sit at home and not do anything about this.
"I want to stop the threat of a third world war and nuclear war, which is a very real possibility.
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A Russian woman who has lived in Southampton for nearly 15 years also opened up about the ongoing war.
The 41-year-old was reluctant to reveal her name as she feared repercussions from the Russian government.
But, she said: "Russia and Ukraine used to be like brothers and sisters before all this.
"It's horrible to see and hear that we are killing our brothers and sisters.
"My family, who are still back in Russia, feel awful about the war.
"We need to stop this war and stop people from getting killed."
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