Solidarity actions with Ukraine were held in various countries on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the full-scale war
On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, peaceful rallies in support of Ukraine and against Vladimir Putin and Russian aggression were held in a number of countries around the world. The rallies were held, in particular, in Washington, Paris, London, Düsseldorf and Prague.
As reports České noviny, a rally was held in the Czech capital on Old Town Square, in which President Petr Pavel participated. He thanked the citizens of the Czech Republic for their support for Ukraine. Ukrainians and relatives of Czechs who died in the war spoke during the event. According to police, about 8,000 people gathered in Prague, and no public order violations were recorded.
Solidarity actions were also held in other cities in the Czech Republic. In Brno, participants emphasized the contribution of the Ukrainian community to the country’s economy. In Olomouc, they brought a model of the Shahed drone and held a charity fair. Residents of Zlin and Pilsen joined the events.
Foreign Minister Andriy Szybiga thanked the Czechs for their support and noted: “In Ukraine, we hear, see, and feel the support of each of you.”
On February 21, a rally was also held near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. The organizers were the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States, representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora, as well as public and charitable organizations, including United Help Ukraine, Ukrainian House, Nova Ukraine, Razom for Ukraine, People of Ukraine, Anomaly, and the Ukrainian Humanitarian Center in Washington.
According to the embassy, the event was addressed by the Ambassador of the European Union to the United States Jovita Nelyupshinė, Pastor Mark Burns, veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war Andriy Smolensky, and Vice Chairman and CEO of the National Coalition for the Support of Eurasian Jewry Mark Levin.
The organizers emphasized: “For four years, Ukrainians have defended their freedom and the security of Europe at an extraordinary cost. This rally is a call to action: Ukraine still matters. Freedom still has significance”.
About 2,000 people took to the march in support of Ukraine in Paris, France 24 reports. Participants chanted: “We support Ukraine against Putin, who is killing it”, “Frozen Russian assets must be confiscated, they belong to Ukraine” and other slogans.
European MP Raphael Glucksmann said in a comment to AFP:
“There is mass support for Ukraine in public opinion, which has not disappeared since the first day of the full-scale invasion of the country by the Russian army on February 24, 2022. In contrast, voices of surrender are increasingly heard among the French political elite. Both on the far left and the far right right-wing”, – he added.
A commemoration and solidarity event was held in the center of Düsseldorf, dedicated to almost four years since the start of the full-scale war. The symbol of the event was a 100-meter Ukrainian flag unfurled on Corneliusplatz.
In London, people gathered near the Russian embassy. During the action, slogans “No apathy, no dictatorship, no war!” were visible. The center of attention was an activist wearing a Vladimir Putin mask and handcuffs with a sign reading “War Criminal.”
The participants emphasized the need to remember the war in Ukraine, its victims, and maintain international solidarity.
