The Ukrainian Association of South Africa is calling on the government to stop economic cooperation with Russia, due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Members of the Ukrainian community in Cape Town have demonstrated outside Parliament, to bring attention to their cause.
Supporters of Ukraine who protested outside Parliament chanted slogans such as, “Help Ukraine” and “Stop the War.” Some of them also carried placards which read, “Ukraine we stand with you” and “Stop Putin!” They are calling on the government to openly condemn acts of aggression from Russia against Ukraine.
President of the Ukrainian Association of South Africa, Olesya Loubser, says they are calling for peace.
“We called on Ukrainians and South Africans to support the call for peace in our country, because everybody knows that terrible things have been happening, starting from Thursday. We call it aggression, by the Russian federation and we are calling for peace. We are calling also for the South African government to support, to condemn the action of Russian federation and support the peace solution.”
The demonstrators say they protested to show solidarity and support with the people of their country.
“I feel very helpless and totally devastated. I wish I could join them to fight,” says one of the protesters.
“We didn’t invite Russia to Ukraine. Why they came to bomb all the big cities (sic). We all pray, even asking stop, stop war,” says another demonstrator.
“It breaks my heart. y family, my friends are suffering in my country in Ukraine which is being attacked by the Russians,” says another demonstrator.
The United Nations says more than 660 000 people are now known to have fled the Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
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