Thousands gather across Germany in solidarity with Ukraine

By Mesut Zeyrek

COLOGNE (AA) - Demonstrations reverberated across Germany in a denunciation of Russia's aggression toward Ukraine as the conflict entered its third year.

Protesters flooded the streets of Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Munich, Düsseldorf, Bremen, Frankfurt and Stuttgart, echoing chants of "No to War" and brandishing signs of solidarity with Ukraine.

The largest gathering unfolded before the iconic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, where an estimated 10,000 demonstrators, together with more than 50 German and Ukrainian organizations, voiced staunch opposition to Russia's assaults on Ukraine.

But police put the figure at approximately 5,000.

Meanwhile, in Brussels, a memorial was held in front of the European Parliament (EP) to commemorate the second anniversary of the war.

A crowd gathered at Luxembourg Square sang the Ukrainian national anthem and unfurled a 30-meter-long Ukrainian flag in front of the EP.

Didier Reynders, the EU commissioner for justice, who attended, said Russia should be held accountable for crimes committed in Ukraine, and noted that the EU Commission has increased support for the investigation and evidence-gathering process.

In London, thousands walked from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square -- two of the city's important squares -- chanting slogans against Russia.

Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in London also joined demonstrators calling for Russia to pay for the damage caused by the war.

Following the march that ended in front of a stage set up in Trafalgar Square, a minute of silence was observed for those killed in Ukraine.