Between 3,000 and 5,000 people demonstrated in Bern on Saturday for peace in Ukraine and for a halt to imports of Russian natural gas into Switzerland.
“No natural gas, no war” might be read on large banners. Many participants also carried Ukrainian or peace flags as well as banners critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The demonstration was organized at the call of the Swiss Socialist Youth and the Socialist Party, the Group for a Switzerland without an Army, the Young Greens and the Greens, the Climate Strike and Public Eye. These different movements have been demanding since February 24 the withdrawal of Russian troops and the resolution of the conflict within the framework of the OSCE and the UN.
“Rearmament demands are a ruthless exploitation of the current crisis and do nothing to help resolve the current situation or prevent future crises,” they say.
Also a struggle for resources
They also demanded that action be taken once morest Russian trade in raw materials, nearly 80% of which pass through Switzerland. Putin’s war of aggression once morest Ukraine is also a struggle for resources, they argue.
“The import, trade and financing of Russian oil and natural gas not only enabled this war, these transactions also prevent it from being stopped,” says Anna Lindermeier of the Climate Strike.
