Ukrainian refugees protest outside NATO meeting in Brussels

Ukrainian refugees protest outside NATO meeting in Brussels. 

Dissatisfied with the international response to Russia’s unjustified onslaught on Ukraine in recent months, Ukrainian refugees staged a massive demonstration against Western powers during Joe Biden’s meeting with EU leaders.

According to Ukraine’s local media outlet, The Kyiv Independent, the agitation organized by the Ukrainian-led advocacy group Promote Ukraine took place in front of the Council of the European Union, where US President Joe Biden was wrapping up a summit with European leaders.

Protesters who were forced to abandon their homes and homelands due to Russia’s aggressiveness call on Western nations to take stricter measures against Moscow.

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What are the demands of Ukrainian refugees?

Initially, the demonstrators demanded a no-fly zone over the war-torn country from NATO.

Following NATO’s rejection to impose a no-fly zone over Ukrainian airspace, the organizers are now asking that Ukraine’s Western partners provide anti-air defenses and fighter fighters.

The group had established specific requests for Biden and other dignitaries, according to Olena Kuzhym, a volunteer organizer for the event.

“First, to cover or shelter the skies,” Kuzhym added, “if not by NATO action, then installing layered air defenses.”

“There’s also nuclear-weapons protection and anti-biological and chemical-weapons protection.”

“Every euro that goes into the Kremlin’s pocket is used to kill Ukrainian women, men, and children!” the organizers stated on Facebook, adding, “Every euro that goes into the Kremlin’s wallet is used to kill Ukrainian women, men, and children!”

After recognizing the Ukrainian breakaway areas of Donetsk and Luhansk as “independent republics,” Russia launched an invasion last month.

Several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Finland, and others, have barred Russian planes from flying over their airspace.