Whether Berlin, Hamburg, Munich or Cologne – people all over Germany protested against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Politicians and organizations expressed their solidarity and called for an end to the war.
Thousands of people across the country took part in protest and solidarity rallies to mark the second anniversary of the Russian attack on Ukraine. In Berlin alone, according to the Ukrainian exile organization Vitsche, up to 10,000 people gathered in front of the Brandenburg Gate. The police spoke of around 5,000 participants in the afternoon. In addition to Vitsche, more than 50 other German and Ukrainian organizations called for the rally in the capital.
There were also actions in many other cities – including Bremen, Düsseldorf, Erfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Hamburg, Hanover, Cologne, Munich, Saarbrücken and Stuttgart.
“Berlin stands on the side of Ukraine”
Berlin’s governing mayor Kai Wegner, who spoke at the protest event at the Brandenburg Gate, quickly called for more military support for the country, including with German Taurus cruise missiles. “Berlin stands unconditionally on Ukraine’s side,” said the CDU politician.
Other demands at the rally included combating Russian disinformation and espionage, the closure of the Russian House in Berlin and a sustainable peace solution that takes Ukraine’s sovereignty and freedom into account. As in the previous year, the Brandenburg Gate should later be illuminated in the national colors of Ukraine, blue and yellow.
The environmental organization Greenpeace projected several letters onto the facade of the Russian embassy in Berlin in protest against the Russian war against Ukraine.
Actions from the Russian Embassy
Activists from the environmental organization Greenpeace projected lettering onto the facade of the Russian embassy in Berlin this morning. “Stop the killing” and “Hands off Ukraine” could be read on the building in German and English. With the protest action, Greenpeace referred to “the direct responsibility of the Russian leadership under President Vladimir Putin for the death and wounding of presumably over 500,000 people.”
To mark the anniversary, there was a demonstration for peace in Ukraine in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin on Friday evening.
Thousands showed their solidarity with Ukraine in Cologne.
Around 6,000 participants in Cologne
The motto of the rally in Cologne was “Together for Ukraine and for democracy”. “The future of our continent will be decided in Ukraine,” said the organizers. According to information, around 6,000 people took part. Among others, the Deputy Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Economics Minister Mona Neubaur, and North Rhine-Westphalia Minister for Europe Nathanael Liminski were there.
Liminski said the Russian regime is fighting not only against Ukraine, but also against the principles that define Europe. “That’s why the people of Ukraine are fighting for us,” he explained.
Visitors to a memorial event on Hamburg’s town hall market look at screens on which the individual fates of war victims are described.
wreath laying, Church services and demonstrations
A church service, a memorial service and several rallies took place in Hamburg. The First Mayor Peter Tschentscher, President of the City Council Carola Veit and the Ukrainian Consul General in Hamburg, Iryna Tybinka, laid a wreath at Hamburg’s Town Hall Market.
According to the Bavarian Radio Around 2,000 people gathered on Marienplatz in Munich in the afternoon. Part of the event is a church service. Many participants had Ukrainian flags with them or were dressed in yellow and blue.
According to the police, around 2,000 people also demonstrated for peace in Ukraine in Saarbrücken. Again Saarland Radio reported that there was a demonstration through the city center. Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger declared in advance that Russia must not win the war, otherwise other countries would also be threatened. “That’s why it’s right that Germany is one of Ukraine’s biggest supporters financially, humanitarianally and also militarily,” said the SPD politician.