Anti-war protesters in London and Paris demand West stop arming Ukraine
London, February 25 (RHC)-- Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in London and Paris, as well as other major capitals across Europe, demanding an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine and urging the Western governments to stop supplying Kiev with weapons.
The demonstrations took place in the major European capitals on Saturday, a day after an ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine entered its second year. The Saturday rally in London was organized by Stop the War Coalition. It was held at Portland Place in the city's central area, from which the participants marched towards the Trafalgar Square.
The London rally was attended by joined by Jeremy Corbyn, a former Labour Party leader and a current member of the parliament. Corbyn called on world leaders to unite their actions in order to bring peace to Ukraine. He added that hatred, poverty, terrorism and refugees are all fruits of war, warning that a new conflict will be just around the corner if the world leaders do nothing to the war in Ukraine.
The protesters in London also chanted anti-war slogans, while holding banners advising an end to the West's incessant campaign of pumping weapons into Ukraine.
Kiev's Western allies have so far provided it with billions of dollars worth of heavy arms. Moscow, which started the war in support of the pro-Russian population of eastern Ukraine, has repeatedly warned that arming Ukraine will only prolong the war and add to suffering of its people.
"I don't agree with sending weapons [to Ukraine] because, it extends the war," said Dalia Sanchez, an anti-war activist, adding the Western military alliance of NATO and Russia should engage in talks to prevent more escalation and deaths.
John Clark, another anti-war demonstrator, said NATO's eastward expansion was not right, adding, "I am here today just because I think we need to stop warmongers and we need to reconsider what is happening," he added.
A counterrally was also held in London, calling for increased military supply to Ukraine. Pro-Ukraine demonstrators held banners, calling for arming Ukraine to stop Russia.
In Paris, hundreds of people demonstrated against the war in Ukraine, while singing Ukraine's national anthem at Place de la Republique. According to the police, the rally attracted around 3,000 participants.
Other demonstrations simultaneously took place in other French cities such as Bordeaux, Rennes or Montpellier, as well as in other European capitals such as Berlin and Brussels.
