Thousands of people marched in the streets of Kharkiv, Ukraine: Efforts to unify the country – NEW TIME

Its participants held banners with slogans in support of the unity of Ukraine and its leadership, in support of patriotism, but with the inscription “Stop Russian aggression.” Police, cynologists with dogs and volunteers supervised the order and safety in the city during the march.

The co-organizer of the event, Konsťantyn Nemičov, stated in an interview with journalists that it was “a peaceful assembly without political challenges.” He criticized Kharkiv City Hall for trying to ban it, citing the COVID-19 epidemic and the risk of probable provocations. Nemiči appreciated that the court finally allowed the march, because “it is about realizing the right of people to express their opinion”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke about the specific role of Kharkiv in an interview with The Washington Post at the end of January, when he did not rule out the Russian occupation of Kharkiv in the impending conflict.

He explained that if Russia opts for escalation, he will do so in the territories where people who have family ties to Russia have historically lived. In this regard, Zelensky admitted that Kharkiv, which is under the control of the Ukrainian government, can also be occupied.

“Russia needs a pretext (to occupy the city): they will say that they are protecting the Russian-speaking population. After the occupation and annexation of Crimea, we understand that it is possible and it can happen.” In an interview with the American daily, the Ukrainian president warned that the occupation of “big cities will not be” just an occupation, it will be the beginning of a large-scale war. “