WASHINGTON — Draped in blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag, hundreds of protesters filled the steps of Lincoln Memorial on Saturday ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin initially expected to seize Ukraine within 10 days, according to a 2022 report by Royal United Services Institute. Instead, the war has stretched into its fourth year as of Tuesday’s anniversary. The milestone comes as Russia launched another major missile and drone strike against Ukraine on Sunday, adding to the war’s toll of nearly two million deaths on both sides.
Many demonstrators held signs criticizing Putin for prolonging the war and demanding he take responsibility for the casualties and destruction.
A female protester held a “Wanted Putin” sign to condemn the Russian president for continuing the war for four years. (Sarah Han/MNS)
Others denounced President Donald Trump for what they described as a shift in U.S. policy toward Ukraine since he took office. Nancy Feldman, who attended the rally, said “America could have ended this war sooner” and that Ukraine has been “suffering for four years needlessly.”
Feldman held a double-sided sign. One side read, “Free D.C., free Ukraine from evil dictators Trump and Putin!” The other read, “Stop Trump’s retribution against Zelenskyy!” (Chloe Park/MNS)
“The only reason Trump is not supporting Ukraine more in this war against Russia’s aggression is because everything Trump does is about retribution against his enemies, and he does not like Zelenskyy,” she said.
