Ukrainians Rally in Lisbon Demanding Peace: A Powerful Message Against Terrorism

A Call for Peace in Lisbon

Today, hundreds of Ukrainians gathered in Lisbon, brandishing placards demanding an end to the war and criticizing the current stance of the United States. One notable sign read, “Don’t support terrorists,” featuring a drawing of U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss.

Other messages included “Russians, stop Putin” and “Ukraine is not for sale,” highlighting the ongoing frustrations with U.S. policies that suggest territorial concessions could be part of peace negotiations.

Voices of Experience

Amid testimonies from those who have experienced the realities of war, the organizers sounded an emergency siren to help attendees understand what Ukrainians endure daily, as explained by Pavlo Sadokha, a representative of the organization.

Sadokha criticized the U.S. President, echoing sentiments from other speakers at the rally, stating that “Putin seems to be dividing Europe” in its support for Ukraine. However, he expressed hope that Trump's words remain just words, as support from the American public continues to reach Ukrainians.

Political Perspectives

Rui Rocha, leader of the Liberal Initiative, attended the rally and lamented that “all signs from the Trump administration align with Putin's interests.” He emphasized the party's commitment to combat any form of tyranny, including that of their allies, and expressed disappointment over the absence of representatives from certain parties, particularly Chega. Rocha accused Chega's leader of being “in Trump’s pocket,” betraying Ukraine, Europe, and Portugal.

Eurico Brilhante Dias from the Socialist Party was also present, opting to listen to various Ukrainians share their experiences of three years of war, while Filipa Roseta, a city councilor from the Social Democratic Party, publicly expressed support and called for an end to the conflict.

Personal Stories

Among the rally attendees, Marina Holasna voiced her hope for the war to end “as soon as possible.” Another attendee, Kateryna, shared her struggles, explaining that she stopped following the news because it was affecting her psychologically. Akim Kononets, a 12-year-old boy who fled to Portugal with his mother, expressed his desire to return to Ukraine to see his friends and family, emotionally recalling his grandmother left behind who is “not well.”

After an hour of speeches and a moment of silence at Rossio, the demonstrators marched to the square in front of the Lisbon City Hall.

Commemorating Three Years of War

This demonstration in Portugal's capital was one of many organized by the Ukrainian Association in Portugal to mark the third anniversary of the war initiated by Russia on February 24, 2022. Similar gatherings took place in Porto, Coimbra, Faro, Águeda, Albufeira, Santarém, Viseu, and Funchal under the slogan “11 years, Ukraine defends Europe!” referencing the events of 2014, including the annexation of Crimea and the separatist war in Donbass. These actions are part of a global initiative by the Ukrainian diaspora.