Thousands protest against war in Switzerland and Ukraine
Thousands of people protested in the Swiss capital, Bern, on Saturday, demanding an end to Russia’s catastrophic war in Ukraine, despite the unusual blizzard this season. According to the organizers they had about 10,000 people to march, creating a forest of flags in the blue and yellow of Ukraine and a rainbow of peace movement.
“I am Russian, I am against the war. Putin is a murderer.”Or “I am Russian, I support Ukraine”Read on the boards. “We are all Ukrainian civilians”Read the banner held by a woman towards the seat of the Swiss government and parliament.
“Everyone must be united with us”Hannah Perekota, a Ukrainian student at the University of Lausanne and a member of the Switzerland-Ukraine Support Group, explains. “Ukraine defends Europe, defends democracy and the world against Vladimir Putin’s dictatorial dictatorship.He told the AFP. Russian oligarchs keep their money in Swiss banks, so Switzerland is an important place to stop this war. ⁇
Organizers said the aim of the rally was to push Switzerland to actively engage in efforts for a ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Russian troops. Protesters demanded additional support for Ukrainian refugees, new sanctions against Russia and a reduction in imports.
Switzerland is not part of the European Union and has a long tradition of neutrality. Nevertheless, the country has aligned itself with the sanctions imposed by the European Union against Russian rule. The alpine country last month froze an equivalent of 5.75 billion Swiss francs ($ 6.2 billion) in Russian assets since the invasion began. But Kyiv is pushing for Switzerland, valued by great Russian wealth, to go further.