“Stand with Ukraine”, a large sanctioned march in solidarity with Ukraine, will take place in Brussels on Sunday 6 March. Demonstrators are scheduled to meet in front of Brussels North Station at 13:00 to call for an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
On 24 February, Russia launched a full-scale offensive on Ukraine, stating that it intended to “demilitarise” and “denazify” the country. Despite promising to only target military infrastructure, the civilian casualties of Russia’s war have been massive.
Russia has conducted unrestricted warfare against both residential areas and major cities. Cities such as the eastern port city of Mariupol have been under constant bombardment from rocket systems and cruise missiles since the start of the war.
The United Nations has recorded 752 civilian casualties in the war so far, however the number is likely much higher. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service states that over 2,000 civilians have been killed as of 2 March.
The event is being held by Belgian-run non-profit “Promote Ukraine.” The organisation states that it believes in a “Europe based in the rule of law, democracy, respect, and freedom.” They condemn Russia’s attack on Ukraine, which has forced Ukrainian families to seek refuge in metro stations and under destroyed bridges.
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Previous marches organised by the organisation have been attended by up to 15,000 people.
In a press release, the march’s organisers called for solidarity with Ukrainian citizens, against what it calls the “Kremlin’s war against an independent, peaceful and democratic country in Europe.”
The march's organisers have also called on the International Criminal Court to speed up its investigation of war crimes committed in Ukraine by Russia. More than 39 countries have sent reports to the ICC.
“Promote Ukraine” calls on local residents, regardless of their nationality, to join the march. “Join your neighbours and the rest of Brussels’ civil society in the condemnation of these acts of war against innocent families in Europe,” the organisers state.
Information about the march can be found on Promote Ukraine’s Facebook page.