Berlin protest against Putin draws thousands
A massive protest march took place in central Berlin, with thousands of demonstrators rallying against Russian President Vladimir Putin and the ongoing war in Ukraine. The demonstration was notably led by Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, alongside other exiled Russian opposition leaders.
The protesters, carrying both Russian opposition and Ukrainian flags, marched through the city center to the Russian embassy, displaying signs with messages like "Putin is a killer" and "No peace under Russian occupation." Demonstrators chanted anti-war slogans in Russian, demanding Putin's removal and an end to the conflict.
The opposition presented three main demands: immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, Putin's trial as a war criminal, and the release of all Russian political prisoners. The protest highlighted the complex relationship between Russian opposition figures and Ukrainian activists, with Navalnaya addressing recent criticism about the opposition's stance on Ukraine's suffering.
Notable participants included Oleg Orlov, co-chair of Memorial, who emphasized that Putin's victory in Ukraine would perpetuate his "fascist regime" in Russia. He urged Western allies to continue providing military support to Ukraine, warning that appeasing aggression could endanger Europe's future.
The protest coincided with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's statement before departing for the G20 summit in Brazil, where he expressed concern that his recent conversation with Putin showed no change in the Russian leader's position on the war.
Navalnaya concluded the demonstration by encouraging sustained protest efforts, stating that single demonstrations alone wouldn't bring change. The march represented a significant moment for Russia's exiled opposition, many of whom have fled their homeland amid intensified crackdown on dissent.
