Around 350 people gathered at the Place de l'Albertine (Albertinaplein) in Brussels on Sunday for a peaceful demonstration against the war in Ukraine.
“Russia must stop its cruel and unprovoked war against Ukraine,” was the message from organiser Promote Ukraine, Bruzz reports.
The non-profit media and citizens' platform in Brussels played the Ukrainian national anthem and chanted, “Glory to Ukraine, glory to our heroes and glory to the Ukrainian army.”
Decrying the human cost of the war
“The human cost of this attack is horrific. Children's and maternity hospitals, homes, schools and kindergartens are being ruthlessly bombed,” organisers said.
#Bruxelles et l'#Europe plus que jamais avec l'Ukraine, la #Russie toujours seule | #Brussels stands with #Ukraine #WeStandWithUkraine #StandWithUkraine️ #UkraineRussiaWar #CutRussianGas #StopPutin #StopPutinNOW pic.twitter.com/832yZctI7E
— Olivier Baumard (@Oli_Baumard) March 13, 2022
“According to official UN figures, more than 1,400 Ukrainian civilians have been injured and killed during this war alone. About 1,700,000 Ukrainians have fled their homeland, and many more are displaced within the country.”
In a speech, the organisers criticised the European Union's reaction to the Russian invasion, calling it too tame.
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“"Closing our airspace is too much to ask. The EU does not want to ban Russian gas, because it would be too big a shock for the European economy. Again and again the EU says that certain sanctions are not possible.”
Calling it the “biggest war since World War II,” Promote Ukraine said “if Russia stops fighting, there will be no war. If Ukraine stops fighting, there will be no free Ukraine.”
