Rally in support of Ukraine in the center of Belgrade

(Patria) - A rally in support of Ukraine is being held today in Belgrade, at the invitation of the country's Embassy and volunteers, on the anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, reports Radio Free Europe.

This is one of the events that will be organized in Serbia today to mark two years since the start of the war initiated by the Kremlin.

Citizens gathered in Pionirski Park in the center of Belgrade, from where they marched to the central Republic Square. A minute of silence was observed at the rally for the victims of Russian aggression in Ukraine.

The march, titled "Support Ukraine," featured flags of Ukraine, the European Union, and messages of peace.

The rally is attended by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Serbia Volodymyr Tolkach, Head of the EU Delegation Emanuele Giaufret, Ambassador of Sweden Annika Ben David, as well as the Ambassador of Great Britain Edward Ferguson.

Photo: RSE

Giaufret reiterated Brussels' determination to stand with Ukraine at the rally.

- We are here to first pay tribute to all Ukrainians who have lost their lives and those who are fighting for Ukraine. The EU is determined to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes - said the EU Ambassador to Serbia.

The rally is also attended by Serbian opposition politicians Pavle Grbović, president of the Movement for the Free Movement, and Dobrica Veselinović from the Green-Left Front.

In addition to this event, there will also be a flower-laying ceremony and a march in Novi Sad, as well as a "March for a Peaceful Ukraine and a Free Russia in Belgrade," announced by the Russian Democratic Society, which brings together critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin and opponents of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Russian and Ukrainian anti-war activists in Serbia have organized a series of protests against the Russian invasion since its beginning.

One of the last rallies was held following the news of the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, when hundreds of citizens gathered in front of the Russian Embassy in Belgrade.

Navalny died in prison on February 16, after reportedly collapsing while leaving his cell.

Authorities have not provided an official cause of death and have refused to hand over the body to the family, stating that it would take two weeks to examine the "chemical forensics."

U Pionirskom parku u Beogradu uskoro otpočinje

SKUP PODRŠKE UKRAJINI💙💛

Nakon uvodnih govora uslediće šetnja ulicama srpske prestonice, još uvek nije kasno da se pridružite. pic.twitter.com/9A9fp49aiP

— Igor Mitrovic (@IgorMitrovic100) February 24, 2024

In addition to rallies in support of Ukraine, Serbia is one of the few countries where rallies in support of Russia have also been held since the beginning of the invasion, organized by far-right groups.

Since mid-last year, Belgrade has expelled or banned entry to the country for several anti-war activists who fled Russia to Serbia after the invasion of Ukraine.

Serbia has joined United Nations resolutions condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but the authorities in Serbia refuse to impose sanctions on Russia. They cite traditional Russian-Serbian ties and economic interests as explanations.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić told the Russian agency TASS a few days ago that there is great pressure from the West on Belgrade to impose an embargo on Russia.

- We will try to defend our position for as long as possible. We have been doing this for two years and I hope we can continue to do so - said Vučić.

Since the beginning of the invasion on February 24, 2022, thousands of people have been killed and wounded, and 6.4 million Ukrainian citizens have fled the country.