The Brandenburg Gate is illuminated in the Ukrainian national colors ahead of a memorial event marking the third anniversary of Russia's attack on Ukraine. (Archive image)
© dpa
Ahead of the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion, Berlin's mayor Kai Wegner has pledged solidarity with Ukraine.
"Berlin stands firmly alongside Ukraine—not only in words, but in deeds and visible to all," said the CDU politician. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.
Russia invaded a sovereign, free, and democratic country, Wegner said. "This attack has been going on ever since: four years of war, four years of suffering." But it has also been four years of resistance, four years of courage, four years of unbroken hope. For this reason, Berlin plans to illuminate the Brandenburg Gate in the colors of Ukraine on Tuesday evening. "Right now, it is important to further deepen our ties – at all levels," Wegner announced. "Berlin and Kyiv are linked by a close city partnership. We are filling this partnership with life – in solidarity, with determination and with a firm belief in a free and peaceful future for Ukraine."
Wegner plans to give a speech at the rally at the Brandenburg Gate. The event is being organized by the Vitsche association, which brings together people from Ukraine living in Germany. Its motto is "We stand with Ukraine for the future of Europe." First, a demonstration march is planned from 6 p.m. from the Lustgarten at Berlin Cathedral to the Brandenburg Gate. The rally will follow there at around 7 p.m.