On the day two years after the Russian invasion, several thousand people lined up at Sergel’s Square in Stockholm to show their support for Ukraine.
Among the demonstrators were also people who had been forced to flee the war.
– Thank you Sweden. Thank you to the people in Sweden who help Ukraine, says a Ukrainian woman who fled the war to TV4 Nyheterna.
To the tune of Patti Smith’s hit “People have the Power” and Ukrainian folk melodies, the atmosphere on Sergel’s square was initially upbeat. But after a minute of dead silence for the Ukrainians who lost their lives, everything immediately became more serious. The war reminded itself. Again.
Many of the thousands of people who gathered on Saturday had their own reasons for demonstrating for Ukraine. TV4 News met several people. Both refugees and top politicians.
– I am a paediatrician. 20,000 children deported from Ukrainian Luhansk and Donetsk and taken right into Russia. It sucks, says one person.
– It doesn’t feel like two years have passed, but you can’t avoid thinking about it in some way every day. One thinks of Ukraine and the people there, says another.
Used profanity to describe Putin
The singer Eva Dahlgren received one of the biggest applauses of the day when she used Swedish swear words to describe Russian President Vladimir Putin.
– I think that’s just how we all think and feel about Putin. I’m so damn pissed off that I get to see Russia closing its gates again. I was there when they opened. Now I get to see this. It is terrible, says Eva Dahlgren.
Kristersson: “Russia must not think they have time on their side”
The top politicians also showed great agreement. Among other things, Ulf Kristersson opened the demonstration with a speech.
– Ukraine’s right to independence and freedom is not negotiable. Russia must withdraw. Russia must not think they have time on their side. Only the outside world, together with Ukraine, can show them that, says the prime minister after the speech.
– If Russia wins over Ukraine. Which countries are next in line? So this is a matter of our entire continent. About the future of our continent, party leader Magdalena Andersson (S) also tells TV4 Nyheterna after her speech, which was met with cheers.
Demonstrations for Ukraine were also held in other places around Sweden on Saturday.