Cities around the world, including Barcelona, Berlin, London, Paris, Madrid and Tokyo, joined in silent solidarity to call for an end to the war in Ukraine. Demonstrations in these major capitals marked the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion, a stark reminder that the conflict continues to impact millions and to shape global discussions on security, humanitarian needs, and European unity.
In Berlin, police estimated several thousand people gathered with Ukrainian flags and banners supporting Kiev’s cause. Placards bore messages like Defend Ukraine or Arm Ukraine now. The Brandenburg Gate lit up in the blue and yellow of Ukraine, a symbol that the city’s commitment to freedom remains visible after years of Cold War divisions. The mayor, Kai Wegner, addressed the crowd, underscoring the city’s stance alongside its Ukrainian friends in the struggle for liberty.
Across Germany, many more protesters joined in in cities such as Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich and Stuttgart, underscoring broad public engagement with the Ukrainian crisis and ongoing calls for sustained support to Kiev.
In France, thousands also demonstrated their backing for Kiev. In Paris, Lille, Nice and Toulouse, Ukrainians and French residents, often wrapped in Ukrainian flags, voiced concern for a military balance that has shifted unfavorably for Kiev due to limited arms and ammunition supplies. The demonstrations reflected a shared worry about Russia’s military pressure and the need for continued Western backing to stabilize Ukraine on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.
In London, marchers moved from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square, carrying Ukrainian banners as a sea of color spread through the capital. A young Ukrainian, 16-year-old Anna Gyev, who attended with her mother, wore a crown of flowers and spoke about the daily toll of the war, emphasizing that the conflict remains active and deadly for civilians, including children, driven by Russian aggression.
In Dublin, thousands participated in a march organized by the Ukrainian community, highlighting the country’s recognition of the humanitarian strain and the importance of ongoing support for refugees who have sought safety in Ireland since the conflict began, with about 100,000 people having found refuge in the country so far.
In Bern, several thousand residents gathered as political leaders urged Switzerland, a neutral country, to resist exporting Swiss arms to Ukraine and to increase commitments to assist the nation at war. The public conversation in Switzerland echoed a larger debate about arms policy, neutrality, and humanitarian aid amid a rapidly changing security landscape.
Despite this wave of mobilization, European citizens express pessimism about Ukraine’s prospects of defeating Russia on the battlefield. A survey conducted across twelve European Union countries this week found that only a small minority expect a Ukrainian victory on the ground. The survey indicated that roughly 10 percent foresee a Ukrainian win, while about 20 percent anticipate a Russian triumph and around 37 percent believe the conflict will end in some form of settlement.
However, a significant share of respondents—approximately 41 percent—felt that the EU should either increase or maintain current levels of support for Ukraine should the United States retreat from backing in the event of a political shift in the White House. In Germany, a nation at the forefront of aid to Kiev, only about a quarter of citizens expect a Ukrainian victory after two years of war, while around 40 percent doubt that outcome, reflecting a cautious public mood about rapid resolutions and the enduring costs of the conflict.