Paris, France – Approximately two thousand people marched through the streets of Paris on Saturday, , demonstrating sustained support for Ukraine as the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches. The demonstration underscored continued public solidarity with Ukraine, even as some voices within the French political landscape suggest a shift towards calls for de-escalation.
Demonstrators carried signs and chanted slogans expressing their backing for Ukraine and condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Chants included “We support Ukraine against Putin, who is killing it” and calls for the confiscation of frozen Russian assets to benefit Ukraine’s reconstruction, according to reports from the scene.
Police estimated the crowd size at around two thousand, a figure that reflects what observers say is a consistent level of public support for Ukraine in France. Raphael Glucksmann, a Member of the European Parliament, noted the enduring strength of public opinion. “In public opinion, there is massive support for Ukraine that has not wavered since the first day of the full-scale invasion” on , he told Agence France-Presse.
However, Glucksmann also pointed to a growing trend within French political circles – a perceived willingness to explore avenues for negotiation that some view as potentially conceding to Russian demands. “in the French political class, sounds of giving up are starting to emerge. On both the far left and the far right, voices of capitulation are getting louder and louder,” he stated.
The demonstration included Ukrainian nationals living in France, many of whom maintain close ties to family and friends still in Ukraine. Irina Kryvosheia, a Ukrainian who has resided in France for several years, expressed her gratitude to the participants for keeping the plight of Ukraine in the public consciousness. “They reminded everyone that what has been happening for four years is not normal, it is not right,” she said.
Kryvosheia shared the experiences of her parents in Kyiv, who have recently endured days without heating, electricity, or running water due to intensified Russian bombardments. Her account highlights the ongoing hardship faced by Ukrainian civilians as the conflict continues.
François Grunewald, head of the medical aid organization “Comite d’Aide Medicale Ukraine,” recently returned from a month-long mission in Ukraine, where his organization has delivered approximately 40 generators since the beginning of the year. Grunewald reported a prevailing sense of anger among Ukrainians – directed not only at Russia but also at international figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump, and, to a lesser extent, at European nations, for what some perceive as insufficient commitment to Ukraine’s defense.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on , triggering the most significant and destructive conflict in Europe since the Second World War. The war has resulted in the deaths of tens, potentially hundreds, of thousands of people on both sides and has displaced millions of Ukrainians, forcing them to seek refuge in neighboring countries, and beyond. Approximately 20 percent of Ukrainian territory is currently under Russian occupation.
The ongoing conflict has also led to widespread destruction of infrastructure and has recently precipitated the most severe energy crisis in Ukraine since the start of the 2022 invasion, with repeated Russian strikes targeting critical energy facilities. The situation underscores the urgent humanitarian needs within Ukraine and the continued vulnerability of its civilian population.
The demonstration in Paris serves as a reminder of the international support Ukraine continues to receive, even as the conflict enters its fourth year and the geopolitical landscape remains complex and uncertain. The event also highlights the internal debates within European nations regarding the optimal path forward in addressing the ongoing crisis and supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
