Thousands of demonstrators answer Zelensky's call to take to the streets to protest against Putin's month-old invasion of Ukraine - while Moscow's few friends show their true colours in Serbia and Yemen
- On Wednesday night, Ukraine's president called for people around the world to protest against Putin's war
- Thousands heeded his calls, with people flooding the streets with the yellow and blue of Ukraine's flag
- From London to Sofia, from the Hague to Ecuador, from Krakow to Mexico City, people showed their solidarity
- Thursday marked four weeks since Putin's invasion began, which has resulted in thousands of deaths
By CHRIS JEWERS FOR MAILONLINE and AFP
PUBLISHED: 12:18 AEDT, 25 March 2022 | UPDATED: 12:38 AEDT, 25 March 2022
Thousands of protesters heeded Volodymyr Zelensky's call on Thursday to take to the streets and demonstrate against Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine, while some in countries more pro-Russian came out support of Moscow.
'Come with Ukrainian symbols to support Ukraine, to support freedom, to support life,' Ukraine's president said in a passionate video address on Wednesday night.
'Say that people matter. Freedom matters. Peace matters. Ukraine matters. From March 24 in downtowns of your cities, all as one together who want to stop the war.'
People responded in their droves on Thursday in cities across the world. From London to Sofia, from the Hague to Ecuador, from Krakow to Mexico City, the blue and yellow of Ukraine's flag flooded the streets as people called for an end to the war that has after four weeks claimed thousands of lives and has seen cities razed.
SOFIA: People demonstrate during a march in support of sovereign Ukraine in Sofia, Bulgaria, 24 March 2022, heeding Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's call to take to the streets and protest against Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine
KRAKOW: People take part an anti-war demonstration 'No war in my name' at the Main Square in Krakow Krakow, southern Poland, 24 March 2022. The date marks four weeks since Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine
VILNIUS: Demonstrators take part in a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine at Independence Square in front of the Parliament Palace in Vilnius, Lithuania,on March 24, 2022
LONDON: Ukrainian supporters demonstrate in Trafalgar Square as they protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in London, Thursday, March 24, 2022. A large banner was unfurled on the steps outside of the National Gallery which read 'When the last Ukrainian soldier falls, Putin will come for YOU ladies & gents'
In Glasgow, the Scottish national football team faced Poland at Hampden Park in a hastily-arranged friendly match after the Scots' 2022 World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine was postponed until June. Ukrainian flags could be seen dotted around the stadium, with one fan holding a banner that said 'Putin the boot into Putin'
DUBLIN: Protesters gathered outside the Russian Embassy in south Dublin to mark one month since the invasion of Ukraine. The embassy has become the focal point for Irish anger over the war raged by Vladimir Putin
THE HAGUE: Human rights activists protest outside the embassy of the Russian Federation a month after the start of Russia's offensive on March 24, 2022 in The Hague, Netherlands. One protester held a placard made to look like a road sign. 'Embassy of the Russian Federation' had two directions leading from it - both led to the 'International Criminal Court'.
MADRID: People hold sunflowers, the Ukrainian national flower, during a demonstration in support of Ukraine in front of the Russian Embassy, March 24, 2022, in Madrid, Spain
PIRAEUS: Protesters take part in a rally, called by the Piraeus Labour Union, against the war in Ukraine, Greece, March 24
London's Trafalgar Square played host to protests in the UK. A large banner was unfurled on the steps outside of the National Gallery which read 'When the last Ukrainian soldier falls, Putin will come for YOU ladies & gents'.
In Dublin, Ireland hundreds gathered outside the Russian embassy to mark a month since Putin sent his forces across the borders of his neighbour. The embassy has become the focal point for Irish anger over the war.
Blue and yellow banners adorned with the words 'Solidarity with Ukraine' were common amongst the crowd.
GENEVA: Children's clothes, plush toys and a peace flag lay on the ground during a demonstration against the Russian invasion of Ukraine in front of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland
PARIS: A picture shows the statue 'Monument a la Republique', symbolising the French Republic, bearing the colours of the Ukrainian national flag to protest against Russia's military invasion on Ukraine, at the Place de la Republique in Paris
SOFIA: People hold a giant Ukrainian flag during a demonstration to support Ukraine in Sofia, on March 24, 2022
SOFIA: A woman shouts slogans during a demonstration to support Ukraine in Sofia, on March 24, 2022
SOFIA: A woman (centre) holds a placard reading 'Adolf Putin hands off Ukraine' during a demonstration to support Ukraine in Sofia, on March 24, 2022
SOFIA: People participate in a demonstration to support Ukraine in Sofia, on March 24, 2022. In Bulgaria's capital, some of the 60,000 refugees from Ukraine joined a huge anti-war demonstration
KRAKOW: Ukrainians, Poles, Russians and Belarussians take part in a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine as Thursday marked one month of war at Krakow's UNESCO listed Main Square on March 24, 2022 in Poland
KRAKOW: People take part in a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine at Independence Square at the Parliament Palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Thursday, March 24, 2022
KRAKOW: Two women take part in anti-war protests in Poland, March 24
KRAKOW: People gather in Krakow's main square to protest against Russian attacks on Ukraine, on March 24, 2022
VILNIUS: People take part in a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine at Independence Square at the Parliament Palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Thursday, March 24, 2022
VILNIUS: Demonstrators take part in a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine at Independence Square in front of the Parliament Palace in Vilnius, Lithuania,on March 24, 2022
In Glasgow, the Scottish national football team faced Poland at Hampden Park in a hastily-arranged friendly match after the Scots' 2022 World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine was postponed until June. Ukrainian flags could be seen dotted around the stadium, with one fan holding a banner that said 'Putin the boot into Putin'.
Cities across mainland Europe also saw people take to the streets.
In Bulgaria's capital of Sofia, some of the 60,000 refugees who have fled to the country from Ukraine joined a huge anti-war demonstration.
Waving Ukrainian and European flags, protesters chanted 'Stop the war,' 'Stop Putin' and 'Freedom for democratic Ukraine.' The organisers of the event said that it was time for Bulgaria to come out in large numbers in support of a sovereign Ukraine.
In The Netherlands, people took took to the streets of The Hague where on Thursday, dozens of nations met to pledge support for the International Criminal Court's (ICC) investigation into whether Russia has committed war crimes in its invasion of Ukraine.
MADRID: People hold sunflowers, the Ukrainian national flower, during a demonstration in support of Ukraine in front of the Russian Embassy, March 24, 2022
MADRID: People hold sunflowers, the Ukrainian national flower, during a demonstration in support of Ukraine in front of the Russian Embassy, March 24, 2022
LONDON: Ukrainian supporters demonstrate in Trafalgar Square as they protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in London, Thursday, March 24, 2022.
KRAKOW: People take part an anti-war demonstration 'No war in my name' at the Main Square in Krakow Krakow, southern Poland, 24 March 2022
ZAGREB: People carry banners and Ukrainian flags during a protest organized by the Ukrainian embassy in Croatia to mark one month since Russia's invasion of the Ukraine, in Zagreb on March 24, 2022
Britain said it was boosting its support for the ICC's Ukraine probe with extra funds and specialist staff. France announced it will provide magistrates, investigators and experts and 500,000 euros ($550,000) in extra funding.
Outside Russia's embassy in the city, one protester held a placard made to look like a road sign. 'Embassy of the Russian Federation' had two directions leading from it - both led to the 'International Criminal Court'.
Thousands of people also came out in solidarity with Ukraine in Vilnius in Lithuania, Krakow in Poland and Zagreb in Croatia. In Piraeus, Greece, workers showed their anger at the war by lighting flares. They were also protesting against the arrival the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the port town.
In Madrid, Spain, protesters held up sunflowers - the national flower of Ukraine that has become a symbol of resistance against the Russian invasion.
Further afield, there were protests in Ecuador, Mexico City, Hong Kong, South Korea and Australia.
SEOUL: Participants hold candles and pickets during a peace in Ukraine of the candlelight vigil hosted by Amnesty Korea near the Russian Embassy in Seoul on March 24, 2022 in Seoul, South Korea
HONG KONG: A women holds her baby in a Ukrainian flag as people protest to mark the one-month mark of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, on a street in Hong Kong on March 24, 2022
MEXICO CITY: An activist from Amnesty International plays the drum during a protest outside the Russian Embassy as part of a Global Day of Action for Ukraine, following Russia's invasion in Mexico City, Mexico, March 24, 2022
MEXICO CITY: Activists from Amnesty International protest outside the Russian Embassy as part of a Global Day of Action for Ukraine, following Russia's invasion in Mexico City, Mexico, March 24, 2022
MEXICO CITY: Sunflowers are placed in front of the Russian Embassy during a protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Mexico City, Thursday, March 24, 2022
QUITO: A woman waves a blue and yellow banner during a protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in front of the Russian Embassy in Quito, Ecuador, Thursday, March 24, 2022
However, pro-Russian protests were also seen in Serbia and Yemen. Serbia has seen a number of right-wing, pro-Russia and pro-Putin rallies since the Russian president launched his invasion.
Thursday saw them resume, with a huge Russia flag being rolled out in Belgrade along with others - such a 'Z' flags - being waves through the streets of the country's capital as thousands marched. The 'Z' symbol has become synonymous with support for Putin's forces as it is painted on many Russian military vehicles in Ukraine.
Russia and Serbia maintain close ties, with the Balkan state harbouring a deep distrust towards the EU and the West since the Kosovo war. As a result, there is a strong pro-Russian sentiment in the country. However, Serbia remains an EU candidate country, and could find itself being pulled in two competing directions.
Serbia and Russia also share a number of cultural ties.
Some smaller pro-Russian demonstrations were also seen in Yemen on Thursday. The two countries also maintain close ties, as Yemen has seen fierce fighting during its civil war.
BELGRADE: Pro-Russian protests were also seen in Serbia (pictured) and Yemen. Serbia has seen a number of pro-Russia and pro-Putin rallies since the Russian president launched his invasion
BELGRADE: People hold a giant Russian-Serbian flag during a rally organised by Serbian right-wing organisations in support of Russian invasion in Ukraine, in Belgrade, on March 24, 2022
BELGRADE: People participate in a rally organised by Serbian right-wing organisations in support of Russian invasion in Ukraine, in Belgrade, on March 24, 2022
SANA'A: Yemenis participate in a protest staged for supporting Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin in his war on Ukraine, outside the Russian embassy on March 24, 2022 in Sana'a, Yemen
Zelensky's protest appeal: In full
The War of Russia is not only the war against Ukraine, its meaning is much wider. Russia started the war against freedom as it is. This is only the beginning for Russia on the Ukrainian land. Russia is trying to defeat the freedom of all people in Europe - of all the people in the world.
It tries to show that only crude and cruel force matters. It tries to show that people do not matter as well as everything else, that make us people. That's the reason we all must stop Russia. The world must stop the war.
I thank everyone who acts in support of Ukraine in support of freedom. But the war continues. The acts of terror against peaceful people go on. One month already. That long. It breaks my heart. Hearts of all Ukrainians and every free person on the planet.
That's why I ask you to stand against the war. Starting from March 24th - exactly one month after the Russian invasion. From this day and after then. Show your standing. Come from your offices, your homes, your schools and universities come in. Come in the name of peace. Come with Ukrainian symbols to support Ukraine, to support freedom, to support life.
Come to your squares, your streets, make yourselves visible and heard. Say that people matter. Freedom matters. Peace matters. Ukraine matters. From March 24th in downtowns of your cities, all as one together who want to stop the war.
The protests came on Thursday as the United Nations General Assembly adopted by an overwhelming majority a non-binding resolution that demands an immediate halt to Russia's war in Ukraine.
At the global body's headquarters in New York, 140 countries voted in favor, 38 abstained and just five opposed the measure, with applause ringing out afterward.
The vote came after the adoption of a similar non-binding resolution on March 2 that demanded Russia immediately cease its use of force - a vote that was approved by virtually the same margin.
Ukraine put forward the new resolution, originally prepared by France and Mexico and addressing the 'humanitarian consequences' of Moscow's invasion of its neighbor, on Wednesday at an emergency session of the General Assembly.
A competing text by South Africa, which never mentioned Russia by name, received 50 votes for, 67 against and 36 abstentions, and was therefore not adopted.
The approved resolution names Moscow and 'demands an immediate cessation of the hostilities by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, in particular of any attacks against civilians and civilian objects.'
The same five countries voted against the resolution Thursday and March 2: Russia, Syria, North Korea, Belarus and Eritrea.
The US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, welcomed the 'strong majority' supporting the resolution.
The countries made clear that 'Russia bears sole responsibility for the grave humanitarian crisis and violence in Ukraine,' she said.
'As President Biden has stated clearly, (Russia's president) Vladimir Putin will not see victory in Ukraine. And we heard today that he will not see it here in New York either.'
The protests came on Thursday as the United Nations General Assembly adopted by an overwhelming majority a non-binding resolution that demands an immediate halt to Russia's war in Ukraine. Pictured: Screens show results from voting by the United Nations General Assembly as member countries pass a resolution denouncing the humanitarian crisis being caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine at United Nations headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 24 March 2022
Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.N. Sergiy Kyslytsya holds up a paper while addressing a United Nations General Assembly meeting where member countries passed a resolution denouncing the humanitarian crisis being caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine at United Nations headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 24 March 2022
France's UN envoy Nicolas de Riviere, speaking on behalf of the European Union, praised the resolution as a 'very strong signal' sent by the General Assembly which 'recalls the urgency of putting an end to the humanitarian catastrophe' and which asks Russia to halt its aggression without delay.
President Joe Biden and his Western counterparts gathered Thursday in Brussels for NATO, G7 and EU summits, with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky also participating by videolink.
On Wednesday Russia submitted a resolution to the UN Security Council on the 'humanitarian situation' in Ukraine, but it was not adopted.
Moscow ally China, which has yet to condemn the invasion, joined Russia in voting in favor. But the Security Council's 13 other member states pointedly abstained in solidarity over what diplomats said was the text's unacceptable basis.
Earlier this week UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres delivered a cutting assessment of the invasion, calling the war 'unwinnable' for Russia.
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Thousands heed Zelensky's call to take to the streets protesting Putin's invasion of Ukraine
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