A Berlin protest against arming Ukraine for war with Russia drew 10,000 people on Saturday, prompting criticism from senior German government officials and an increased police presence to maintain order, Reuters reported.

The protest, organized by a leading left-wing German politician, comes a day after the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which sparked pledges from Western allies to increase weapons, new sanctions against Russia and demonstrations of support for Kyiv around the world.

“We call on the Chancellor of Germany to stop the escalation of arms deliveries. Now!… Because every lost day costs up to 1,000 more lives – and brings us closer to the third world war,” the organizers of the protest said on their website.

The Uprising for Peace was partly organized by Sahra Wagenknecht, a member of the German leftist party Die Linke.

Germany, together with the USA, was one of the largest suppliers of weapons to Ukraine.

“Negotiate, don’t escalate,” read a placard held by a protester, while a “Not our war” banner was held up in the crowd.

A police spokesman said that 10,000 people gathered near the symbolic Brandenburg Gate in the center of Berlin.

Police mobilized 1,400 officers to maintain calm and enforce a ban on military uniforms, Russian and Soviet flags and military songs.

A police spokesman said there were no signs of right-wing groups being involved and that the protest, which German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said had to be “definitely dealt with”, was peaceful.

“Anyone who doesn’t support Ukraine is on the wrong side of history,” Lindner wrote on Twitter.