Thousands demonstrate against German participation in Ukraine conflict
In Munich, thousands of protesters have called on the German government to refrain from engaging in foreign conflicts. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
A mass demonstration took place in Munich, Germany, where thousands gathered to advocate for peace between Moscow and Kiev, as well as in the Middle East.
The protest on Saturday was organized by the ver.di trade union under the slogan: ‘You will not prepare me for war.’
Participants called on the Berlin government to halt arms shipments to Israel and Ukraine, urging that the funding be redirected towards social needs domestically.
Footage from the Ruptly video agency captured protesters carrying Palestinian and Lebanese flags and displaying banners with messages such as “No 100 billion for armaments and war,” “Stop the genocide in Gaza,” and “Free Palestine.”
Some placards addressed the conflict between Moscow and Kiev, highlighting one that stated: “No Taurus missiles in Ukraine.” Kiev has been pressuring German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for months to provide long-range Taurus missiles, but Scholz has been hesitant, citing the potential for “a great risk of escalation.”
An inflatable sculpture depicting arms holding a broken machine gun was also installed in Odeonsplatz in central Munich.
Claudia Weber, managing director of ver.di Munich, expressed to the crowd that the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza and Lebanon are “unacceptable.” She urged, “Hamas, Hezbollah, and Israel must finally come to a ceasefire; all warring parties must immediately stop firing on the civilian population.”
Walter Listl from the Munich Peace Alliance echoed similar sentiments, asserting, “We do not want to become capable of war, but capable of peace,” and called for “a ceasefire and negotiations immediately for Ukraine and the Middle East.”
Germany’s arms exports to Israel notably surged last year, increasing tenfold compared to 2022, reaching €326.5 million. However, these exports saw a significant drop in 2024, plummeting to just €14.5 million between January and late August, according to data from the German Economy Ministry.
The Berlin government has earmarked €28 billion in military assistance for Ukraine. Earlier this week, Scholz committed to an additional €1.4 billion in aid during a meeting with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, stating, “Germany is the strongest military supporter of Ukraine in Europe. It will stay that way. I can assure you of that.”
Moscow has warned that arms deliveries to Kiev by the US and EU nations will not hinder Russia's military objectives but will only extend the conflict and heighten the risk of direct confrontation with NATO. Russian officials argue that the provision of arms, intelligence sharing, and training of Ukrainian troops effectively means that Western nations have become de-facto participants in the conflict.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
The protest on Saturday was organized by the ver.di trade union under the slogan: ‘You will not prepare me for war.’
Participants called on the Berlin government to halt arms shipments to Israel and Ukraine, urging that the funding be redirected towards social needs domestically.
Footage from the Ruptly video agency captured protesters carrying Palestinian and Lebanese flags and displaying banners with messages such as “No 100 billion for armaments and war,” “Stop the genocide in Gaza,” and “Free Palestine.”
Some placards addressed the conflict between Moscow and Kiev, highlighting one that stated: “No Taurus missiles in Ukraine.” Kiev has been pressuring German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for months to provide long-range Taurus missiles, but Scholz has been hesitant, citing the potential for “a great risk of escalation.”
An inflatable sculpture depicting arms holding a broken machine gun was also installed in Odeonsplatz in central Munich.
Claudia Weber, managing director of ver.di Munich, expressed to the crowd that the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza and Lebanon are “unacceptable.” She urged, “Hamas, Hezbollah, and Israel must finally come to a ceasefire; all warring parties must immediately stop firing on the civilian population.”
Walter Listl from the Munich Peace Alliance echoed similar sentiments, asserting, “We do not want to become capable of war, but capable of peace,” and called for “a ceasefire and negotiations immediately for Ukraine and the Middle East.”
Germany’s arms exports to Israel notably surged last year, increasing tenfold compared to 2022, reaching €326.5 million. However, these exports saw a significant drop in 2024, plummeting to just €14.5 million between January and late August, according to data from the German Economy Ministry.
The Berlin government has earmarked €28 billion in military assistance for Ukraine. Earlier this week, Scholz committed to an additional €1.4 billion in aid during a meeting with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, stating, “Germany is the strongest military supporter of Ukraine in Europe. It will stay that way. I can assure you of that.”
Moscow has warned that arms deliveries to Kiev by the US and EU nations will not hinder Russia's military objectives but will only extend the conflict and heighten the risk of direct confrontation with NATO. Russian officials argue that the provision of arms, intelligence sharing, and training of Ukrainian troops effectively means that Western nations have become de-facto participants in the conflict.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
