In Berlin, a peaceful demonstration on February 25 drew sharp criticism from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. He argued that the event and its participants appeared to align with Moscow’s stance on the Ukraine crisis, questioning the sincerity of the messages being voiced in the crowd.
Kuleba urged demonstrators to be forthright about their intentions. In an interview published by Bild am Sonntag, he suggested that slogans calling for an end to the war and a halt to arms shipments would be more honest if they explicitly stated a preference for allowing Russia to escalate violence against Ukraine. This remark highlighted his view that public expressions should clearly reflect the desired outcome of the conflict.
According to Kuleba, the conflict has a profound impact on the Ukrainian public, and he asserted that most Ukrainians favor peace even more strongly than the most ardent demonstrators at the Brandenburg Gate. His comments underscored the human cost of the war and the urgency many in Ukraine feel for a swift, just resolution.
In Germany, the Peace Manifesto initiative was promoted by former far-left politician Sahra Wagenknecht together with feminist Alice Schwarzer. The petition called for halting arms deliveries to Kyiv and reopening negotiations with all parties involved. It attracted more than half a million signatures from German citizens, and on February 25 a large rally organized by the petition’s authors took place in Berlin, drawing attendees from across ideological spectrums who weighed calls for diplomacy against continued support for Kyiv’s defense needs.
During an interview with Bild, Kuleba also urged patience for the outcomes of ongoing investigations into the Nord Stream gas pipelines. He criticized some media reports on the subject as pieces of labeling, arguing that premature conclusions should be avoided while the investigations proceed. This stance reflected a broader call for cautious, evidence-based discourse on sensitive energy and security issues tied to the crisis.
Overall, the events surrounding the Berlin demonstration and the North Stream discussions illustrate a complex mix of public opinion, political philosophy, and strategic considerations. They highlight how international actors balance humanitarian hopes for peace with the realities of military and economic pressure in a rapidly evolving conflict, and how media narratives can influence public perception during critical moments of inquiry and debate. The ongoing dialogue underscores the importance of careful, fact-based reporting and leadership that seeks durable, peaceful solutions while addressing the legitimate security concerns of all affected communities. The dynamics remain fluid, with policymakers and citizens alike monitoring developments and weighing the implications for regional stability and global energy security. The broader question remains how future diplomacy can reconcile competing priorities without compromising the sovereignty and safety of those directly impacted by the war. am Sonntag and related press coverage.”