About 10,000 people, according to police, gathered in the center of Berlin today to demonstrate in support of negotiations with Moscow and against arms transfers to Ukraine a year and a day after they began. Russian invasion.

The rally was organized by far-left politician Zara Wagenknecht and feminist Alice Schwarzer, and the central slogan was “Arise for Peace”.

The meeting was considered controversial by many, as far-right party figures were involved in the initiative.

Under the Brandenburg Gate, Wagenknecht and Schwarzer took the floor to call for “diplomacy instead of surrendering weapons” in front of thousands of demonstrators who braved the cold.

“Negotiate, don’t escalate,” read a poster held by one of the protesters, while a banner in the crowd read: “This is not our war.”

As of Feb. 10, Wagenknecht and Schwarzer have also launched an online signature drive called “Peace Manifesto” with over 645,000 signatures.

According to a Berlin police spokesman, other demonstrations of the same movement, as well as counter-demonstrations, were announced. Fearing clashes, the police mobilized about 1,400 officers. However, the rally was peaceful and, according to the police, far-right organizations did not participate in it.

Authorities banned protesters from wearing military uniforms, holding Russian and Soviet flags, performing Russian military marches, and wearing far-right symbols.

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner expressed his disagreement with the meeting, stating on Twitter: “Anyone who does not support Ukraine is on the wrong side of history.”

Source: RES