Thousands of people in Berlin marched on Tuesday evening toward the historic Brandenburg Gate in solidarity with Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s war against it.
“We Europeans must understand that peace does not fall from the sky, that peace must be fought for,’ said Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev.
He stood on a stage directly in front of the Brandenburg Gate, illuminated in the colours of the Ukrainian national flag, closely surrounded by more than two dozen ambassadors from European countries.
Gratitude for German support
Makeiev expressly thanked Germany for its backing, saying that it had become Ukraine’s most important supporter.
“Last year, we received German investment in the Ukrainian arms industry for the first time,” he said.
“And we are building drones that can reach targets deep inside Russian territory, thanks in part to German support.”
The demand for more weapons was heard repeatedly during the rally – both on stage and from the crowd in front of it.
Around 5,000 people took part in the rally, according to the Berlin police, while organizers estimated a significantly higher figure.
Many waved blue and yellow flags or draped them around their shoulders.
The Brandenburg Gate is illuminated in the colors of the Ukraine flag as participants gather to mark the fourth anniversary of the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Markus Lenhardt/dpa