UKRAINE: World War II veterans appeal for peace in eastern Ukraine on World Peace Day

Record ID: 349981

  • Title: UKRAINE: World War II veterans appeal for peace in eastern Ukraine on World Peace Day
  • Date: 19th September 2014
  • Summary: KIEV, UKRAINE (SEPTEMBER 19, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE MARCHING WITH UKRAINIAN FLAGS TO MUSEUM OF WORLD WAR II PEOPLE HOLDING POSTERS/CHILDREN IN UKRAINIAN NATIONAL COSTUMES POSTER READING (Ukrainian) "CONGRATULATIONS ON WORLD PEACE DAY" MAN IN UNITED NATIONS BERET VARIOUS OF PEOPLE HOLDING MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR VICTIMS OF FIGHTING IN EASTERN UKRAINE PEOPLE SINGING
  • Embargoed: 4th October 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ukraine
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA9ITON8N72G66PHZIPETYSR3PI
  • Story Text: Hundreds marched in Kiev for World Peace Day on Friday (September 19), demanding a stop to hostilities in eastern Ukraine. World War II veterans and those who served in the Soviet forces in Afghanistan joined youths in a march which commemorated those fallen in previous wars as well as in the current fighting.
    The march began at the Memorial to Ukrainian soldiers who died in Afghanistan and continued to the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, which is the Soviet term for World War II since the breaking of a pact between Hitler and Stalin.
    The march was attended by civil activists, veterans, school children and students.

    "Today we are celebrating World Peace Day. I want peace on earth now, so that no one will know what war is, so that war will be known only from history," said World War II veteran Vira Volkova.

    "War is awful. It's a pain for mothers, fathers and sons. It causes grief for the country, for our mothers and children," said another WWII veteran, Dmitry Kononenko.
    Kiev residents held a minute's silence and sang the Ukrainian national anthem to pay respect to victims of violence during protests that led to the removal of president Victor Yanukovich and those killed in fighting in the Donbass region.

    "I want peace. I want peace in the whole world especially when the Russian aggressor is there (in eastern Ukraine). It's difficult to talk. I want Russians to hear us, and to make their own peace march and stop Putin who is an aggressor," said Kiev resident Vira Fyodorovna.
    World Peace Day is celebrated around the world on the initiative of the United Nations General Assembly as a day for worldwide non-violence and ceasefire.
    On this day, the United Nations call on all countries in conflict to stop fighting and blood shed for at least 24 hours.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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