Europe 1 with AFP 4:45 p.m., February 25, 2023

In the aftermath of protests in France and Europe to mark the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, several hundred people gathered in Paris on Saturday to support Ukrainians.

Rallies also took place in other major cities in the regions on Saturday.

Several hundred people gathered in Paris on Saturday in support of Ukraine, the day after demonstrations in France and Europe to mark the first anniversary of the invasion of the country by Russia.

Rallies also took place in other major cities in the regions on Saturday, a year and a day after the start of the conflict, February 24, 2022. On the Place de la République in Paris, hundreds of participants sang the anthem Ukrainian in the early afternoon.

With his hand on his heart, Volodymyr Kraftchenko denounces "those who have violated our land and our rights".

Aged 73, he fled his country a year ago to take refuge in France, after trying to join his country's armed forces.

"They told me I was too old," he told AFP.

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"Vladimir Putin does not take us into account"

At the head of the procession heading towards the Place de la Bastille, Ukrainian children, dressed in traditional dress.

In the crowd, yellow and blue (the colors of Ukraine) dominate, in the form of flags raised to the sky or wrapping the shoulders of the demonstrators, signs or even balloons.

MP Raquel Garrido came to represent "the entire LFI parliamentary group", she said at the start of the rally organized by dozens of associations.

"These demonstrations are an opportunity to show that war is not only about geopolitical questions but also about solidarity between peoples".

It is important that "France maintains an independent position, a voice to find a way to peace", she added.

For Catherine Rifault, 67, "we must not stop demonstrating, being indignant".

Russian President Vladimir "Putin does not take us into account, but it is important to show that we are not getting used to it".

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2,000 Ukrainians welcomed in Hérault

In Montpellier, a hundred people responded to the call from the SOS Montpellier Ukraine association.

The Hérault has welcomed some 2,000 Ukrainians who have fled their country.

"The Russians of Montpellier with Ukraine", "Ukraine chooses freedom", "Stop War", could be read on the signs.

"We must not believe that the war is soon over, we must shout everywhere that Ukraine is suffering and will unfortunately still suffer," said 29-year-old Litouka Kseniia, who arrived in this city in April with her daughter from two years.

The day before, thousands of people had gathered in several major cities on the continent to protest against the Russian escape.

In France, a gathering of a few hundred people