Thousands of demonstrators marched through Rome on Saturday calling for peace in Ukraine, the dismantling of nuclear arsenals, and demanding Italian government to stop sending weapons.
Footage shows protesters holding banners reading ‘No war’, ‘No more weapons to Ukraine, negotiation right now’ and ‘Stop sanctions’ and chanting slogans such as ‘Peace’.
Italy’s former prime minister and leader of Five Star Movement Giuseppe Conte attended the rally, as seen in the footage.
The demonstration started at the Republic Square and ended at the San Giovanni Square.
“We have to be able to create important diplomatic negotiations, laying the foundations for dialogue. Do not send weapons [to Ukraine]. We are totally against,” said a demonstrator named Gaia.
The rally was organised by Europe for Peace, a network of hundreds of Italian associations promoting peace and disarmament.
Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine in late February after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.
Kiev denounced the Russian action, insisting that it was completely unprovoked, and President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation.
