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.
Protesters hold a giant Ukrainian flag in Place de la Bastille, Paris, on February 25, 2023, on the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
On the Place de la République in Paris, hundreds of participants sang the Ukrainian anthem 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.
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.
A protester holds a sign that reads 'Shit shit' during the rally in solidarity with Ukraine.
EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
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
".
Demonstration of solidarity with Ukraine, in Paris, February 25, 2023. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
In Montpellier, a hundred people responded to the call from the SOS Montpellier Ukraine association.
The Hérault welcomed some 2,000 Ukrainians who had 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 continue to suffer
", declared to AFP Litouka Kseniia, 29, who arrived in this city in April with her daughter from two years.
Read alsoMichel Yakovleff, the “general punchline” of the war in Ukraine
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 took place on the Place de la République in Paris, as well as in Lille or Marseille for example.
SEE
ALSO -
One year of war in Ukraine: the ten dates that marked the conflict