The Benfica goalkeeper took part in a demonstration in support of Ukraine in Lisbon

Benfica goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin took part in a demonstration in support of Ukraine in Lisbon this Saturday.

The gathering, organized by the Association of Ukrainians of Portugal, began at 15:00 in Rossio Square. The Reds’ Ukrainian goalkeeper intervened with a speech.

This Saturday marks two years since the Russian invasion with marches in support of Ukraine in various parts of the country.

“Thank you, Portugal”

Hundreds of people gathered in Rossio, flying Ukrainian flags as well as some Portuguese and European Union flags, calling for a “fair victory” and saying “thank you very much, Portugal” as well as singing the two countries’ anthems.

Holding several posters with the inscription “The only path to peace is the victory of Ukraine” or “For tomorrow without war. Together for Ukraine,” protesters marched to the Lisbon City Hall on an initiative organized by the Ukrainian Embassy in Lisbon and the Association of Ukrainians in Portugal.

“Today [este sábado] We started our demonstration in Lisbon and other cities with the words “Thank you, Portugal.” These are not just words, it means that Portugal was an example [na forma] how he welcomed and helped Ukrainian survivors of the genocide,” the president of the association told Luse.

Pavel Sadoha stressed that this initiative is aimed “first of all to thank everyone who helped Ukraine” and especially noted the statements of “the highest representatives of the Portuguese people”, such as the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the President of the Assembly of the Republic.

The official highlighted the process of receiving Ukrainians in Portugal, which “went very well” over these two years, and noted that “there is no specific data on how many Ukrainians returned to Ukraine,” with estimates ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 people returning to the country. a country still at war.

The official said that Ukrainians “will continue until Ukraine’s just victory” and stressed that the government “has already said what is necessary to defend” the country.

“First, we need political support. Secondly, we must have military support, because we have Ukrainian soldiers who have the courage and desire to defend our Motherland, but without defense, weapons, planes, guns, tanks, we will not be able to do this, because the power of Russia is much greater more than Ukraine,” he explained.

Alexandra, who has lived in Portugal for about seven years, also believes that “the main thing is that the war ends as quickly as possible”, but that this requires “a lot more help” and, in the case of Portugal, support could go towards sending F16s and financing of arms to Ukraine.

With family in Ukraine, Alexandra was in her home country in January. “The war is felt everywhere, there are soldiers on the streets, there are people who have lost arms or legs, there are people who have lost family and friends,” he said.

Lisa Rizol is 14 years old and came to Portugal with her mother in March 2022. Her dream is to end the war and return to her homeland, where her father and grandparents remained.

Even though he has only been in Portugal for two years, he speaks Portuguese and is happy with the help he has always received in Lisbon, despite not forgetting that he is in another country.

Traveling from Kyiv to Lisbon, where she has lived for five years, Alexandra Kostyuk told Lusa today that it marks a “sad date” for a conflict that is “basically two years old, but in fact it’s 10 years old.” years of war in Ukraine.”

“The greatest desire is victory and peace throughout the entire territory. Ukraine must continue to exist as a strong, free nation,” he said.

Because family members live in Ukraine, the young woman said that “war continues to be a part of their lives, even in areas not directly affected.”

“There is no peaceful life in Ukraine; everyone continues to feel the threat of a Russian invasion,” he emphasized.