A year of war in Ukraine: ceremony, gatherings and tributes in Paris

This Friday, February 24, 2023, a year after the invasion of the Russian army in Ukraine, ceremonies and gatherings to pay tribute to the victims are organized in Paris.

In order to commemorate the first year of war and pay tribute to the victims, ceremonies, gatherings and demonstrations are organized in Paris on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 February 2023.

The commemorations began last night with the illumination of the Eiffel Tower in the colors of Ukraine. Since the start of the war, the city of Paris and its mayor Anne Hidalgo have supported Ukraine, notably committing to reception and care for refugees. The Eiffel Tower will be adorned with yellow and blue until February 26.

Slava Ukraini !

Слава Україні !
#StandWithUkraine️ #CitiesWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/xdAOI0RKnx

— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) February 23, 2023

The flame of the revised triumph arc

This Friday evening, at 6:20 p.m. Friday, a tribute ceremony to the Ukrainian victims took place under the Arc de Triomphe. Chaired by the Secretary of State responsible for Development, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, and in the presence of the Ukraine ambassador to France, Vadym Omelchenko. On this occasion, the flame of the monument was on.

Almost the same time, a large gathering took place place de la République. Stand with Ukraine gathered “in support of the Ukrainian resistance” this Friday evening at 6 pm.

Among the demonstrators was present, Dominique Sopo, the president of SOS Racisme, the European deputy, Raphael Glucksmann, “We were place of the Republic a year ago today. Tonight in the same place. To show the Ukrainians that they are not alone and will never be so, that we are as united as on the first day, that we will be there as long as it will be and that we know that they are also fighting for We. »»

A march in Paris

Tomorrow, Saturday February 25, associations “For Ukraine, for their freedom and ours!” “, The” French Solidarity Network with Ukraine “and” The Union of Ukrainians in France “organize a march from the Place de la République to Place de la Bastille. The Human Rights League also calls for manifesting.

The meeting is given at 2 p.m. Takes will take place on arrival.

Political parties and most of the unions present

The representatives of different parties (PS, EELV, NPA, Renaissance, etc.), announced their presence, according to the organizers, as well as representatives of the main unions (CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, UNSA, Solidaires and FSU), who called to walk “in solidarity with Ukraine who resists” and “for a just and lasting peace”. Some cities, such as Paris and Lyon, have also organized events throughout the week in support of Ukraine.

This weekend, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the conflict, events will take place in Paris and in around fifteen cities in France.

Paris, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Lille, La Rochelle … rallies are planned everywhere in France in support of the Ukrainian population, a year after the start of the Russian offensive.

Russia creates the crisis specifically to weaken your support and blame Ukraine

The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, estimates this evening that it is necessary to make the maximum effort so that the world preserves unity around Ukraine and continues to support his country in his struggle for freedom and independence. The Head of State declared it at a press conference for representatives of the Ukrainian and foreign media “Lyutyy. The year of the indomitable”.

“My task as president, leader of our country, is in no way to assume the weakening of support for Ukraine. I believe that unity, unification of the world is my main task “Said Volodymyr Zelenskyi.

He stressed that Ukraine needed weapons to preserve its state status and protect itself from the invasion.

“We are not at war. We fight for our lives,” said the president.

The head of state noted that some countries showed the fatigue of the war in Ukraine due to the internal economic problems caused by the Russian aggression.

“The important point is to tell everyone that it is not our war, we are fighting for all of you. This war has not caused the crisis – it is Russia that creates the crisis specifically to weaken your Support and blame Ukraine. And my task is to do everything so that the support of the world in Ukraine does not weaken, “said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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