Folks in Berlin participate in a protest towards the supply of weapons to Ukraine.
Protesters within the Paris and Berlin capitals have rallied to demand peace in Ukraine, a day after the anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
1000’s of individuals protested within the German capital on Saturday to sentence the federal government’s provide of arms to Ukraine and name for peace talks to finish. the warfare,
The organizers have been criticized earlier than the protest for downplaying Ukraine’s proper to defend its territory from Russian aggression and failing to distance themselves from the far proper and much left, the place pro-Russia views are widespread.
One of many organisers, opposition lawmaker Sahra Wagenknecht of the ex-communist Left occasion, mentioned that there was no place for neo-Nazis on the rally, however that anybody who wished peace “with an trustworthy coronary heart” was welcome.
Whereas most placards on the protest mirrored conventional left-wing positions, some individuals bore banners with the slogan “Individuals go house” and the emblem of a far-right journal. Some waved Russian flags.
Wagenknecht accused the German authorities of in search of to “damage Russia,” and mentioned that Moscow ought to make an “supply” to be able to resume peace talks.
One other of the organizers, outstanding feminist writer Alice Schwarzer, mentioned it was time to look past left and proper.
The 2 girls have additionally launched a petition which claims to have gathered greater than 645,000 signatures.
Protesters jeered every time she and Wagenknecht talked about the title of German international minister Annalena Baerbock, who has strongly backed the supply of arms to Ukraine.
Police mentioned that about 13,000 folks took half within the rally at Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate, whereas organizers claimed that fifty,000 folks participated.
One attendee was Konstantin Schneider, a tutorial from Berlin, who mentioned he understood that nations in Jap Europe have been afraid of Russia.
“In fact [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is an fool to assault Ukraine,” he mentioned. “However we nonetheless want to search out new options. [to the war] as an alternative of sweepingly saying there’s nothing to barter.”
There have been a number of small counter-demonstrations. On Friday, hundreds of protesters throughout Europe marched towards Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
In Paris, a number of hundred folks sang Ukraine’s nationwide anthem on Saturday at Place de la Republique earlier than Ukrainian kids wearing conventional costume led a procession.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz mentioned in a latest tv interview that he doesn’t see a prospect for peace talks at current.
“We have to perceive that the Russian president at the moment accepts just one type of negotiations, which is [Ukraine] capitulates unconditionally and he achieves all of his goals,” ​​Scholz instructed public broadcaster ZDF.
