Folks in Berlin participate in a protest towards the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

Protesters in Paris and Berlin capitals have rallied to demand peace in Ukraine, a day after the anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

Hundreds of individuals protested within the Germany capital on Saturday to sentence the federal government’s provide of arms to Ukraine and name for peace talks to finish the battle.

The organisers have been criticised earlier than the protest for downplaying Ukraine’s proper to defend its territory from Russian aggression and failing to distance themselves from the far proper and much left, the place pro-Russia views are frequent.

One of many organisers, opposition lawmaker Sahra Wagenknecht of the ex-communist Left social gathering, stated that there was no place for neo-Nazis on the rally, however that anybody who wished peace “with an sincere coronary heart” was welcome.

Whereas most placards on the protest mirrored conventional left-wing positions, some members bore banners with the slogan “Individuals go residence” and the emblem of a far-right journal. Some waved Russian flags.

Wagenknecht accused the German authorities of searching for to “spoil Russia,” and stated that Moscow ought to be made an “provide” as a way to resume peace talks.

One other of the organisers, distinguished feminist writer Alice Schwarzer, stated it was time to look past left and proper.

The 2 ladies have additionally launched a petition which claims to have gathered greater than 645,000 signatures.

Protesters jeered at any time when she and Wagenknecht talked about the title of German overseas minister Annalena Baerbock, who has strongly backed the supply of arms to Ukraine.

Police stated that about 13,000 individuals took half within the rally at Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate, whereas organisers claimed that fifty,000 individuals participated.

One attendee was Konstantin Schneider, an educational from Berlin, who stated he understood that international locations in Japanese Europe have been afraid of Russia.

“In fact [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is an fool to assault Ukraine,” he stated. “However we nonetheless want to seek out new options [to the war] as an alternative of sweepingly saying there’s nothing to barter.”

There have been a number of small counter-demonstrations. On Friday, hundreds of protesters throughout Europe marched towards Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

In Paris, a number of hundred individuals sang on Saturday Ukraine’s nationwide anthem at Place de la Republique earlier than Ukrainian kids wearing conventional costume led a procession.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated in a latest tv interview that he doesn’t see a prospect for peace talks at current.

“We have to perceive that the Russian president at the moment accepts just one type of negotiations, which is that [Ukraine] capitulates unconditionally and he achieves all of his goals,” Scholz informed public broadcaster ZDF.