EPAThe widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has urged thousands of supporters marching in central Berlin to continue their protests against President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine.
“One protest alone will not change anything. We need to keep going out”, said Yulia Navalnaya.
People carried a blue and white Russian opposition flag and Ukrainian flags, while chanting “no to war” and “Putin is a murderer” in Russian.
Many members of the opposition in Russia have been exiled since the Kremlin stepped up its crackdown on the opposition, jailing hundreds – perhaps thousands – of people for their political views.
The opposition party says it has three main demands – the “immediate withdrawal” of troops from Ukraine, the trial of Putin as a “war criminal” and the release of all political prisoners in Russia.
Russia’s war in Ukraine was largely focused on protest.
Ukrainians often accuse Russia’s opponents of failing to appreciate their suffering, and of failing to do enough to stop the war waged in their country.
Just last week, Ukrainian protesters disrupted a speech by Yulia Navalnaya in Lisbon, playing air raid sirens and demanding that she denounce the war, which she did.
The march was seen as part of an effort to counter that view, although one protester said he disagreed with the prominent slogan “Putin = war”, because the invasion of Ukraine is opposed and supported by many Russians.
Oleg Orlov, chairman of the Nobel Peace Prize Memorial, who was sentenced to prison in Russia for his anti-war and anti-government statements, held a banner that read: “Victory for Ukraine, Defeat for Putin, Freedom.” in Russia.”
Orlov now lives in Germany in forced exile after being released in a prisoner exchange in August. He asked Ukraine’s allies to continue supplying weapons.
“Putin’s victory in Ukraine will preserve his fascist regime in Russia for many years,” he told the BBC.
“More weapons for Ukraine are important, including for the future of Russia – because if Putin wins, Russia is defeated – that is, the Russia we all dream of and want to build.
“Those Europeans who talk about peace at all costs in Ukraine, those who are ready to appease the aggressor, do not understand the mine they are laying for the future of Europe itself.”
ReutersThe march ended outside the main Russian embassy in Unter Den Linden, where the three protest leaders climbed into the back of a truck, linked arms and thanked the crowd for their support. They were received with joy.
Navalnaya said her husband always thought you should go to protests the same way you go to work.
He urged people to march more often, not only for themselves – but also for Russians inside the country who cannot do the same, “for political prisoners…
Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was released from prison in August after spending two years – 11 months in solitary confinement – told the BBC he was “proud” to see “a sea of faces” at the rally – although the march was smaller than some people expected.
“There are millions in Russia who feel the same way, against the war, against Putin’s regime. But in Russia it is impossible to do what we just did here today. With a small act of protest, you will end up in jail, just like I did.”
In his speech, he called the embassy a “nest of Russian spies”.
“It will be an ambassador again,” he vowed.
Another young IT worker, Anastasia – originally from Kazan, Russia – said she left in March 2022 because she could not live in a country fighting a war she opposed.
He said “it is impossible to protest in a place of authority”, adding that this is why this meeting was so important.
The crowd was not large, but it was diverse, including supporters of Alexei Navalny and anarchists and young men who are recruiting people to go and fight for Ukraine. We met protesters from as far away as Norway, Cyprus and Poland.
As Yulia Navalnaya was escorted away by police, for security reasons, a crowd gathered near a memorial to those killed in Ukraine – quietly chatting and singing along with a young man playing guitar.
One couple told the BBC that for them, the meeting gave them a little hope – and they feel they are not alone.
“The current attitude towards Russians abroad is bad. People who do not believe in change. Everything looks bad. They don’t see the need to protest,” said Polina.
“Maybe they are right. But there is no shame in doing less. it is a shame to do nothing. That’s what Alexei Navalny once said.”
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