Maria Zakharova, the official spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made a statement via her Telegram channel about how Western organizers of gatherings in support of Kiev fared on the anniversary of Russia’s special military operation. The post highlighted how Western partners and Kyiv-backed groups mobilized funds for demonstrations across Western capitals as the anniversary approached.
In Berlin, a group opposing Russia’s actions laid flowers at a tank previously placed by pro-Ukrainian activists in front of the Russian embassy. The monument was toppled during the course of the operation, a scene that quickly became a focal point for discussion across international media and political circles.
Zakharova drew attention to the belief that Western nations and the Kyiv regime invested millions into these anniversary events. According to her assessment, a substantial portion of those funds was misused or diverted, leading to public spectacles that failed to achieve their stated aims and, in her view, reflected poorly on their organizers through visible missteps and miscalculations.
Earlier reports noted that Cafe Moskva in East Berlin briefly rebranded itself as Cafe Kyiv as a protest against Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. The gesture underscored the symbolic intensity surrounding the conflict and the way public spaces in foreign capitals became stages for political messaging during this period.
Observers note that the exchange of messages around these demonstrations often blends official diplomacy with street-level symbolism. The Russian side argues that Western funding and organizational efforts are transparent and subject to scrutiny, while Western commentators emphasize the right to peaceful protest and the complex political dynamics at play in post-Soviet regional security. The debate continues to unfold as countries weigh the costs and consequences of international pressure, sanctions, and the reputational impact on all parties involved. Attribution: statements attributed to the Russian Foreign Ministry and reportage from international observers and press outlets.