As of: February 24, 2024, 5:58 p.m
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A Ukrainian (front) and a German flag are flying.
© Daniel Löb/dpa
The second anniversary of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is bringing people to the streets.
There were demonstrations in several cities in North Rhine-Westphalia on Saturday.
Thousands came to Cologne.
Cologne - On the second anniversary of the Russian attack, several thousand people in North Rhine-Westphalia demonstrated demonstrative solidarity with Ukraine.
According to organizers, around 6,000 demonstrators took to the streets near the cathedral in Cologne in the afternoon.
Participants held up self-painted signs with slogans such as “Russia is a terrorist state” and “Solidarity with Ukraine”.
Ukrainian flags were also waved.
Those who died in the war were remembered with a minute's silence.
The rally was organized by the German-Ukrainian association Blue-Yellow Cross.
Initially, sirens sounded like those heard at the start of the attack two years ago.
NRW Europe Minister Nathanael Liminski said in his speech that the Russian regime is not only fighting against Ukraine, but also against the principles that make up Europe.
“That’s why the people in Ukraine are fighting for us,” explained the CDU politician.
The Deputy Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Economics Minister Mona Neubaur (Greens), also took part in the rally.
A spokesman for the organizer called for all resources to be mobilized for Ukraine.
The organizers were expecting 5,000 participants at the rally under the motto “Two years of the Russian war against Europe - solidarity with Ukraine”.
According to police, around 500 people demonstrated in Aachen on Saturday, and several hundred people also came together in Bielefeld for a demonstration that led to the town hall.
There should also be further rallies in Siegen and Düsseldorf.
Further demonstrations took place in Cologne city center on Saturday.
According to the police, the motto of one meeting was “Peace, Bread, Dignity - in Ukraine and worldwide”.
There was also a smaller, pro-Russian demonstration and a corresponding counter-rally in the city.
No incidents were initially reported.
dpa