Tokyo. Protesters from around the world on Saturday showed their support for the people of Ukraine and called on governments to do more to help Kiev, punish Russia and prevent a wider conflict.
Some 2,700 people have been detained in Russia for taking part in anti-war demonstrations that Moscow has declared illegal, CNN reported.
Several hundred people marched in heavy rain in Sydney chanting “Ukraine will prevail”, while protesters in Tokyo called for Russia’s expulsion from the UN Security Council.
Thousands of people also took to the streets in Europe, including many Ukrainians living abroad, to take part in demonstrations in London, Nicosia, Berlin, Athens, Helsinki, Madrid and Milan where flags and banners were seen “stop war”.
In Bern, the Swiss capital, a rally was held that the organizers estimated at 20,000 people. Some called on the Swiss government to take tougher action against Russia and President Putin.
In Istanbul, Ukrainians living in Turkey sang their national anthem and displayed banners with images of bloody handprints.
Hundreds of people demonstrated in the square in front of the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, carrying signs such as “Make Ukraine a NATO member now!” and “Say no to Putin!
The protests follow other demonstrations around the world in recent days. In Latin America, protesters joined Friday rallies in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Peru, chanting “Viva Ukraine.”
In Sydney, speakers called on the government to extend sanctions against Moscow and bar Russian citizens from visiting Australia.
In India, some of the anger was directed at NATO and the West. “The type of aggression that we are witnessing in Ukraine has been forced by the United States through NATO and also by the Russian military forces. Both of them are responsible for this situation,” student activist Neha told a protest in New Delhi.
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