Alicante’s Ukrainian residents go to the streets to protect the peace

The third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is tomorrow, Monday, February 24.
In honour of the war’s victims and in support of peace, the Association of Friends of Ukraine in Alicante staged a protest today.

Around 500 people took part in the protest, which began at midday at Alicante’s Plaza de los Luceros and finished at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. The march was led by a banner that said, “The victory of Ukraine is the victory of the world.”

The participants shouted “Long live Ukraine” and “Putin, war criminal” while holding a 100-meter-long Ukrainian flag.

According to Ana Shkalenko, president of the Friends of Ukraine Association in Alicante, the day is about being “united” as Ukrainians and Europeans to demonstrate to the “enemies” that “we are all together.” “We are going out for peace and victory for Ukraine,” she continues.

People are still “very exhausted” three years later, he explains, since they want “peace” and “to go back to their homes.” Ukrainians are currently concerned about the Trump-Putin conversations. “If we negotiate badly, war will return because Putin gains strength and gains more territory,” claims Shkalenko.

Approximately 40,000 Ukrainians, currently the third most significant nationality, reside in the province of Alicante. “They are doing very well” here, according to Shkalenko, who also acknowledges the warmth and friendliness of the people of Alicante.

He clarifies that people with work permits are pursuing a career, while youngsters are enrolled in school and have acclimated to the language. But many people wish to go back to Ukraine, he remembers.

The protest march was not attended by any representatives of the Provincial Council or the City Council of Alicante. But among them were the historic leader Ángel Franco, the PSOE deputy in Les Corts, Yaissel Sánchez, and Lola Vílchez, a former socialist politician in the Alicante City Council.