2,500 people at rally on the third anniversary of the Ukraine war in Vienna

"February 24 may not be a happy day for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, but it is a very important day with tragic content for all of us, for us Ukrainians, but also for Europe and our friends," said Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Chymynez at the beginning of the rally. He stressed that Ukraine was originally only given a few days, but the Ukrainians are strong and will become even stronger. He thanked in German for the support and help of the last three years, which is greatly appreciated in Ukraine.

Federal Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) commemorated the day of remembrance in a statement: "Since day one of the brutal Russian war of aggression, Austria has stood by the side of the Ukrainian people. As a sign of solidarity, the castle gate is now shining in the Ukrainian national colors. We will continue to support the people of Ukraine in the future!"

"So far, the EU and its member states have provided over 134 billion euros in support - more than any other donor," said Patrick Lobis, the representative of the EU Commission in Austria, in his speech. Since a just and lasting peace can only be achieved through strength, the EU would continue to strengthen Ukraine's resilience on a military, humanitarian and economic level, Lobis assured. Numerous other ambassadors and chargés d'affaires from EU countries stood on the steps of the parliament with their respective national flags.

There were expressions of solidarity from Vienna's deputy mayor Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS), who also drew parallels to his family history and mentioned that his father had to flee from "Russian tanks" in Hungary in 1956. "I find it tragic that people now have to flee from Russian tanks again," he said. Wiederkehr spoke of his responsibility to support Ukraine so that they can win this fight for freedom. National Council members Petra Bayr (SPÖ) and Andreas Minnich (ÖVP) also expressed their support for Ukraine.

The emotional climax in parliament was a short speech by Yaroslav Basylevych from Lviv, who lost his wife Yevheniya and his three daughters Yaryna, Daryna and Emiliya in a Russian missile attack on Lviv on September 4. Russia is waging a war to destroy the Ukrainians as a nation, he said. "My loved ones will not come back, but we should and must do everything to ensure that justice is done. Because what future does our world have if we allow Russia to escape this punishment?" explained the widower.

Unlike the speeches, in which current developments were only mentioned in passing, controversial initiatives and statements by US President Donald Trump were a more important topic on posters. "Ukraine is not for sale," one of the slogans read, referring to Trump's desire to take over Ukrainian natural resources. But there were also insults against Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, as well as calls for Russia and the USA to remain silent when Ukraine spoke.

"My feelings are still the same as they were exactly three years ago," said Ukrainian Arina, who organized a first, very emotional demonstration against the invasion in front of the Russian embassy in Vienna-Landstrasse on February 24, 2022, and came as a simple demonstrator on Monday evening, in an interview with APA. But Europe must now finally wake up and understand which direction it is heading in. For too long, the continent has not wanted to believe in a major war, said the activist. The threat is realistic.