“Stop Putin, Stop War”
Demonstrators around the world are supporting Ukraine
02/25/2022, 1:41 p.m
Germany, Japan, Australia: people all over the world express their solidarity with Ukraine. Several thousand demonstrators took to the streets to express their horror at the Russian invasion. Despite the threat of penalties, calls for peace are also being heard in Russia.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sparked anger and dismay in Germany and many other countries. Around the world, demonstrators took to the streets in solidarity with the Eastern European country. Buildings and monuments were illuminated in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag – from the Brandenburg Gate to the Roman Colosseum and 10 Downing Street in London to Flinders Street Station in Melbourne, Australia.
Lots Russians do not agree with President Vladimir Putin’s war policy. According to civil rights activists, more than 1,700 people were arrested during protests in numerous cities. The civil rights portal Owd-Info registered actions in dozens of Russian cities – despite a ban on demonstrations and the threat of penalties. In the capital, Moscow, about 1,000 people chanted “No to war!” in the central Pushkin Square.
Also in Germany there were demonstrations. According to the police, around 2,500 people gathered in Berlin on Thursday evening in front of the Brandenburg Gate, and 1,500 protested in front of the Federal Chancellery. There were also protests at the Russian embassy. Leipzig hoisted the Ukrainian flag at the New City Hall in solidarity with its twin city of Kiev. More than 5,000 people gathered here for demonstrations. Many held lights or signs that read, among other things, “Hands off Ukraine.”
In Czech Republic The largest actions took place in Prague with a total of around 5000 demonstrators on Wenceslas Square in the city center and in front of the Russian Embassy in the Bubenec diplomatic quarter. Banners read “Stop Putin” and “We will not give up on Ukraine”. Ukraine is less than 400 kilometers away from the Czech Republic.
Prominent support in Spain
In Italy protesters gathered in front of the Colosseum in Rome, which was illuminated in Ukrainian colors. Many carried the blue and yellow flag in their hands. There was also a rally in front of the Russian embassy. The leader of the Social Democrats, Enrico Letta, was embracing stunned people. Protesters also marched in front of the famous Scala in Milan.
In Hungary The protests in Budapest were not only directed against the invasion of Russia, but also against the pro-Moscow policies of right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban in recent years. On Thursday afternoon, he fought his way through to criticism of Russia on Facebook: “Together with our EU and NATO allies, we condemn Russia’s military action.”
There was prominent support for Kiev in Spain: Hollywood star Javier Bardem (52, “No Country for Old Men”) protested against the war together with Spaniards and Ukrainians in front of the Russian embassy in Madrid. “The victims are always the same: women, children, the elderly,” said the Oscar winner.
“Stop Putin, Stop War”
With candles and lights cried out in the Switzerland around 1000 people in Zurich for peace. Several hundred people with Ukrainian roots and Swiss people came together at the seat of the federal government in Bern. “No money for Russian oligarchs,” read a banner. Switzerland had decided not to freeze Russian accounts, including those of people subject to sanctions in the EU. There were also rallies in Israel, where there is both a large Russian-born and a large Ukrainian-born community. “Stop Putin, Stop War,” read the signs.
Also in Cyprusthe Turkeythe Slovakia, Lithuania, Austria, Denmark and Sweden protested demonstrators. Norway projected the flag of Ukraine onto Oslo City Hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually. In Ireland a coat of arms at the Russian embassy was covered with blood red paint. Also in Japan and Australia people took to the streets. A spontaneous action took place in Martin Place in the heart of Sydney. A participant from eastern Ukraine said: “I feel absolutely helpless and there is nothing I can do except ask for an intervention by mobilizing like this.”