The Diplomat
A thousand Ukrainians, according to the Government Delegation in Madrid, demonstrated yesterday in Madrid’s Plaza de Colón to protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and demand an end to military hostilities, as part of the anniversary of the start of the war, which began on 24 February 2022.
The protest, called by the Community of Ukrainians in Spain for the rights, dignity and honour of Ukrainians, has seen a multitude of Ukrainian flags and posters with slogans such as ‘Peace’, ‘No to war’ or ‘Imperial wars, all criminals’.
A ten-metre long national flag was also unfurled, with Ukrainian songs in the background, in an atmosphere of respect and remembrance of the victims.
Among the attendees were numerous representatives of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Spain, such as the US Ambassador Julissa Reynoso, along with other members of the American community in Madrid.
Dmytro Matiuschenko, Minister Counsellor of the Ukrainian Embassy in Spain, told Efe that the demonstration was in response to the anniversary of the “large-scale Russian” invasion that “has cost the lives of thousands of innocent civilians, including children, with dramatic repercussions and consequences for Ukraine”.
“The unity of partners from democratic countries is paramount to defeat the Russian aggressor,” said Matiuschenko.
For his part, the vice-president of the Madrid Assembly, Jorge Rodrigo Domínguez, stressed the PP’s support for the people of Ukraine and its citizens, especially those living in the Community of Madrid and the displaced persons who have arrived in the region as a result of the conflict.
Rodrigo stated that the regional government has launched a series of initiatives “to provide them with all the help and solidarity necessary” so that they can have a “totally normalised and peaceful” life.
Yuri Chopyk, President of the Ukrainian Community in Spain for the rights of unity, dignity and honour of Ukrainians, who has been living in Spain for twenty years, stressed that over the last year “the lives of Ukrainians have changed, but also that the war has upset the international order”.
He thanked the Spaniards for their support and called for “a pact for peace” and not to continue with the “Russian propaganda that goes on and on with a new tool of hybrid warfare”.
