PHOTO GALLERY: Thousands rally for Ukraine on Prague's Old Town Square

On February 23, 2025, thousands gathered in Prague's Old Town Square to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The rally, organized by NGOs Million Moments for Democracy, People in Need, Memory of the Nation, and the European Congress of Ukrainians, aimed to express continued solidarity with Ukraine.

The event featured speeches from prominent Czech leaders, including President Petr Pavel, Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych, and well-known Czech actors and artists.

President Pavel condemned the notion of rewarding aggression, emphasizing that "It is impossible to compromise international law and give the aggressor a reward for his aggression." He reiterated that Ukraine's desire for sovereignty was clear long before Russia’s invasion, noting that the annexation of Crimea and subsequent military actions clearly identified Russia as the aggressor.

The president stressed that for peace to be negotiated, Ukraine must remain strong, as any weakness would undermine its ability to seek the peace it desires. He called on the Czech Republic and Europe to stay united in their support for Ukraine, highlighting the need for Europe to play a more assertive role in peace talks.

Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych also addressed the crowd, stating that Ukraine would never concede any of its territory to Russia and would continue fighting for freedom. He thanked the Czech people for their unwavering support, noting that their voice would be heard both in Washington and Moscow, reinforcing Ukraine’s rightful place in Europe.

In addition to the speeches, attendees participated in a commemorative march, carrying Ukrainian and EU flags, yellow and blue balloons, and banners condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin. The thousands of protestors then marched together to náměstí Kinských, where they visited the monument to Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko. People carried sunflowers; a symbol of resistance against the invasion.

Amnesty International and Memorial Ukraine have also prepared an exhibition Can You Stop It? In the form of a calendar, Ukrainian artists have depicted the tragic stories of children who have been affected by the war in the most terrible way. A concert entitled Noise for Ukraine will take place outside the Russian embassy on Monday starting 5 p.m. It will feature performances by rappers and bands, including Vladimir 518, Mike T, Zooblasters, Circus Problem, and Obrben.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. According to statistics from the Ministry of the Interior, 397,400 people from Ukraine had temporary protection in the Czech Republic as of midnight on Sunday a week ago. Of these, 96,800 were children and 17,700 people over 65. Events have and will be held across the Czech Republic today in support of Ukraine on the third anniversary of the invasion.