Ukrainians and Ukraine supporters worldwide held rallies to mark the third anniversary of the beginning of the all-out war and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Eighty countries hosted the #UniteforUkrainianVictory campaign.
The event’s slogan was “Unite for Ukraine’s Victory.” The geography of the events is impressive: from Australia and Taiwan to all EU countries and further to the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and other nations.
In total, the campaign included more than a thousand events in 80 countries. The organizers created an interactive map showing in which countries and cities rallies were held.
In many cities, local politicians and members of parliament joined the demonstrations.
The organizers of the events also formulated the main theses on how to help Ukraine win and end Russia’s war of aggression.
In London, the demonstration united thousands of Ukrainians and Britons in common demands for a just peace for Ukraine, the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from all of Ukraine, and increased international support under the direct leadership of the United Kingdom as a strategic and value-based partner of Ukraine.
The demonstration took place outside the Russian Embassy in London and brought together a broad coalition of Ukrainian and British organizations, politicians, trade unions, and civil society activists who reaffirmed their support for Ukraine. Among them were members of the British Parliament: Emily Thornberry, John McDonnell, Joe Powell, and Neil Coyle.
In London, the rally was organized by the British organizations Ukraine Solidarity Campaign, Vsesvit, Campaign for Ukraine, the charity KHARPP, Ukrainian student communities, and British trade union organizations.
Rally in London. Photos by O.Smutko, L.Gluschak
Demonstrations in support of Ukraine also took place in other major European cities, including Paris, Lyon, Berlin, Munich, Rome, Milan, Madrid, Barcelona, Warsaw, Prague, and hundreds of other cities.
The NGO Army of Communities of Ukraine, the Ukrainian World Congress, and ICUV coordinate the global campaign. The main goal, they wrote, is to remind the world about Russia’s war in Ukraine and increase support for Ukrainians so they can survive and achieve victory.
Rally in Lyon. Photos by P.Richard
A demonstration of thousands of people in support of Ukraine and demanding an end to the Russian war was also held in Milan. Local politicians and officials joined the rally: President of the City Council of Milan Elena Buscemi; President of Eumans Marco Cappato; MEP from the Democratic Party Pierfrancesco Maran; Senator of the Italia Viva party Ivan Scalfarotto; regional counselor for Fratelli d’Italia Marco Bestetti, regional counselor for Forza Italia Giulio Gallera, regional counselor for Patto Civico Luca Paladini, Secretary of Azione Milano Francesco Acioti, President of +EU, and President of Radicali Italiani Matteo Hallissei, Head of the European Parliament Office in Milan Maurizio Molinari.
Rally in Milan. Photos by local activists
The key demands from the participants:
- There should be no division of Ukraine; making territorial concessions cannot lead to peace.
- Russian troops should completely withdraw: Ukrainians themselves, free from occupation, should decide Ukraine’s future.
- Increase military assistance to Ukraine to strengthen its defense and ensure fair negotiations.
The main theses of the participants on how to achieve peace in Ukraine and victory over Russia:
- Increase military and financial support from partners, including through the confiscation of frozen Russian assets;
- impose more sanctions on Russia;
- more actively combat Russian disinformation;
- Recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism and as a state that has committed an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people.
According to the campaign’s press release, “the civilized world and its citizens must finally understand that the only real guarantor of their security is Ukraine and its Armed Forces, and the only guarantee for lasting peace will be Ukraine’s victory and Russia’s defeat at a time when old alliances are crumbling and international organizations are handicapped.”
A special emphasis was placed on the presidential initiative Bring Kids Back, which aimed to draw the world’s attention to more than 20,000 Ukrainian children abducted in the occupied territories and forcibly deported to Russia.
Participants demanded their immediate return and reminded the world of the importance of fighting for every abducted child.
