Thousands of people gathered in Germany to demand negotiations with Russia

Thousands of people gathered in front of the historic Brandenburg Gate at the call of the deputy of the Left Party Sahra Wagenknecht and the journalist and writer Alice Schwarzer, asking for peace negotiations with Russia and for the German government not to deliver more weapons to Ukraine .

The protesters chanted slogans against Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, claiming that she supported supplying more weapons to Ukraine, and carried banners reading “Support peace, stop arms delivery, not NATO”, “The peace seekers do not sell weapons”. ” and “Diploma instead of weapons”.

In his speech at the rally, MP Wagenknecht criticized the arms supply to Ukraine, saying: “Every weapon that is handed over increases the danger of a world war.” saying.

Wagenknecht, who called on both sides to negotiate, said the terrible suffering and death in Ukraine must end.

Wagenknecht thanked those who attended the rally, arguing that it was the start of a powerful new peace movement.

“WAR AGAINST NATURE”

Roland Schmidt, one of the protesters, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that he participated in the demonstration because peace was threatened, saying: “(the war) is being waged against nature. All animals die. Both the ground and the air are destroyed. People destroy. This is the pinnacle of destruction.” saying.

Schmidt, who wanted negotiations to end the war, said: “We can talk. We can resolve the conflict simply by talking. Everyone has their own opinion. It has to be accepted, not approved. But you have to listen and be ready to make the case.” he said.

The Berlin police, which took extensive security measures, shared the information that at least 10,000 people participated in the demonstration.

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is anti-Islamic and anti-immigrant, also shared on Twitter that many party members, including the president of the AfD Saxony State Organization, Jörg Urban, took part in the demonstration.

Sarah Wagenknecht and Alice Schwarzer launched an online petition titled “Manifesto for Peace” demanding that arms supplies to Ukraine be stopped and that they negotiate with Russia to end the war. As of February 25, the number of participants in the signature campaign exceeded 650,000. (AA)