A protest rally in solidarity with the people of Ukraine occurred at Taff Street in Pontypridd on Sunday, in conjunction with several other cities and towns, including London and Glasgow.

While there is no precise figure on how many attended this rally, it looked to be in the hundreds.

Key speakers at the event included Pontypridd member of the Senedd, Mick Antoniw, who spoke of his family in Ukraine who are currently engaged in fighting with invading Russian forces, Pontypridd MP, Alex Davies-Jones, Cynon Valley MP, Beth Winter, Rhondda Cynon Taff Councillors, Andrew Morgan and Maureen Webber, and Reverend Charlotte Rushton of St Catherine church, all of whom made clear that Ukrainian refugees are to be welcomed and housed upon their arrival.

“I’m incredibly moved and incredibly proud of our community,” said Davies-Jones. “These a the type who live in Pontypridd and Rhondda Cynon Taff, the amount of support, people offering bedrooms, offering money, any support they can to Ukraine and it’s incredible. We all stand together to support them and to oppose [Vladimir] Putin and his war machine and are ready to welcome anyone who needs our support.”

Councillor Morgan spoke on the specific housing plan as of now: “As soon as we do know from the UK government what the plan is in terms of are they looking to bring people in, short-term, long-term or settling, we stand ready with the local authorities ready to help. But I am hoping in the next few days to get clarity from the UK and then we can push forward and support people.”