Enlarge image
Protest in front of the Russian embassy on the anniversary of the war of aggression against Ukraine
Photo: Annette Riedl/dpa
“Stop the killing” and “Hands off Ukraine”: Activists from the environmental organization Greenpeace protested against Putin’s war against Ukraine this morning with lettering projected on the facade of the Russian embassy.
The demands could be read in German and English, including on posters held by activists.
This Saturday marks the second anniversary of the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
The Russian Embassy is located on Unter den Linden Street, not far from the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
“It is terrible that the horror unleashed by Vladimir Putin is now entering its third year of war,” said Alexander Lurz, disarmament expert at Greenpeace.
Russia must stop the killing in Ukraine and withdraw.
At the same time, Lurz called on the international community and the federal government to resolutely continue their support for Ukraine, but also to increase diplomatic efforts to end the war.
"Putin's decision to break international law and attack Ukraine on February 24, 2022 has brought death and endless suffering to the people of Ukraine," said Greenpeace.
This also applies to “the death and wounding of hundreds of thousands of our own citizens who have to fight a senseless war in Ukraine.”
Ukraine association is not allowed to implement similar idea
The solidarity association Vitsche, founded by Ukrainians, had previously failed in court with the idea for a similar protest action.
The association wanted to project a video with war images onto the Russian embassy building on Saturday.
However, this was banned by the authorities on the grounds that the action could “impair the dignity” of the diplomatic mission.
An urgent application before the Federal Constitutional Court was also unsuccessful.
The ban decision was met with widespread criticism.
Vitsche himself expressed disappointment and incomprehension on Saturday that the dignity of the Russian embassy, of all things, was valued more highly than the protest against the war of aggression, which violates international law.
The organization pointed out that such actions are of course permitted in other European capitals.
In addition, supporters of Ukraine expressed criticism on social media that Greenpeace was now carrying out an action similar to the one that had previously been banned by the Ukraine solidarity association.
On the second anniversary of the Russian attack, Vitsche and around 50 other German and Ukrainian organizations are calling for a protest rally in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin at 1 p.m.
As was the case last year, the goal will be illuminated in the national colors of Ukraine, blue and yellow.
Demonstrations and memorial events are also planned in other German cities.
kko/dpa/AFP