For the two years of war, pro-Ukraine demonstrations all over Europe
On Saturday February 24, several thousand people gathered in the three Baltic capitals to support Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia for two years.
Demonstrations in support of Ukraine also took place across Europe, notably in Poland and in major cities in France.
Pro-Ukraine demonstrators in front of the Russian embassy in Warsaw, February 24, 2024. AFP - WOJTEK RADWANSKI
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In the Baltic countries, bordering Russia
and
occupied for 50 years, the feeling of proximity to Ukraine is strong.
“
Glory to Ukraine
”, they say in the procession of the demonstration held in Vilnius, Saturday February 24.
As two years ago, support for Ukraine at war comes through this expression.
A few thousand people, gathered on Vilnius Cathedral Square, marched along the main avenue carrying two huge Ukrainian and Lithuanian flags, reports our correspondent in Vilnius,
Marielle Vitureau
.
Irmile is present with her family.
“
I still volunteer at Caritas.
We send lots of packages, we make candles, camouflage nets
,” she says.
Rosita made it a point to participate in this march.
“
We think every day about what is happening in
Ukraine
.
Life is no longer as simple as before, bad news is daily
,” she says.
From these two years of war, Matas learned one thing: to be prepared for any eventuality.
Coming to support Ukraine is obvious to him.
“
I want to be there, because we have to show that we are on Ukraine’s side, we support them.
The lack of unity is felt in Europe, in the United States
,” she says.
From the official platform, the Lithuanian Prime Minister recalled that Lithuania would support Ukraine until the end.
The march ended with a large charity evening.
More than 6 million euros were collected.
Lithuania wants to convince by example.
“The Poles are with Ukraine”
February 24 was an emotional day in Poland.
Nearly a million people have found refuge in Poland.
Poles and Ukrainians marched, hand in hand, in the streets of Warsaw,
Martin Chabal
.
Ukrainian and Polish flags flew in front of the Russian embassy.
Representations of buildings destroyed by bombs were placed on the sidewalk.
Many of them came to pray, like Weronika with her Polish flag in her hand.
“
I am here to show that the Poles are with Ukraine.
We support them!
And this despite demonstrations by farmers who oppose imports
,” she says.
Read alsoWar in Ukraine: after two years of war, the West still behind kyiv
Because if Poland and Ukraine have experienced and are experiencing some quarrels, the time has come for solidarity during the demonstration.
As Wiktor, a Ukrainian refugee, clearly proves: “
I have the Ukrainian flag and I attached it to Tatiana's Polish flag.
We must be together and of course we remember all the weapons that Poland sent.
And for humanitarian aid too.
»
The slogan is solidarity against
Vladimir Putin
.
Many Poles stood arm in arm during the demonstration.
Particularly because the fear of being invaded by Russia remains in the minds of some.
“
If Russia attacks us, the first bombs will definitely fall on my town east of Warsaw, because there is a military airport there.
And we all have in mind that our palace or our large swimming pool could be destroyed.
» At the end of the march in the Polish capital, some young Poles and Ukrainians continued this moment of communion and came together to sing glory to Ukraine.
Parisian march between Place de la République and the Bastille
In Lille, Rouen, Nice and Toulouse, Ukrainians and French people, often wrapped in the Ukrainian flag, gathered to express their solidarity, but also their concern at a time when Kiev's forces, lacking weapons and ammunition , are in a very difficult position facing Russian troops.
A commemoration of these two years of war also took place in Marseille.
For me, it is very important that people who live in Marseille have not forgotten that the war in Ukraine happens every day!
01:13
Demonstration of solidarity with Ukraine in Marseille
Siam Spencer
In Paris, several thousand people gathered in Paris, Place de la République, for a march towards Place de la Bastille.
While only 10% of Europeans believe in a victory for Ukraine against Russia, the demonstrators met this Saturday afternoon called for continued financial and military aid in favor of Kiev, reports
Killian Tanguy
, our special correspondent in the Parisian procession.
At the start of the third year of conflict, being present was important for all the demonstrators.
Dmytro Atamaniuk is the president of the France-Ukraine Medical and Charitable Aid association.
“
We are reaching the situation where there are many forces that are beginning to exhaust themselves and therefore, more than ever, we must be together to help the Ukrainian people, to help the Ukrainian hospitals, the wounded and all those who will protect the Ukrainian people. “Europe on its eastern border
,” he believes.
Demonstrators wrapped in the Ukrainian flag, during the pro-Ukraine demonstration in Paris, February 24, 2024. AFP - GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT
For this, there was only one solution, according to the regional councilor of Île-de-France Philippe Bouriachi: “
Give them weapons, cannons, planes, tanks so that they can rid us of tyranny.
» And it is urgent, according to the opinions of many demonstrators.
Because this war did not start two years ago, according to Anaa Boyco, spokesperson for the Aid and Support association.
“
Today, it’s not two years (of war), it’s ten years.
On February 20, 2014, the first Russian soldier entered Ukrainian territory, with the goal of invasion
,” she says.
In Paris, everyone hoped that this new year of war in Ukraine would be the last.
Demonstrations in support of Ukraine also took place in Great Britain, Spain, Italy and Germany.
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