BRICS Summit: Ukrainian Association to protest in Durban
With the 15th Brics Summit in full swing in Johannesburg, the Ukrainian Association of South Africa is staging protests nationwide.
A group on Tuesday gathered at the Sandton Convention Centre, where the summit is being held, to call for an end to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The association's Lesya Karpenko says they demand Russian President Vladimir Putin withdraw military forces from Ukraine.
"We are seeking justice and an end of the war. Other things like the grain deal which was stopped by Russia, so currently grain is not being delivered, so people don't have bread on their tables."
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On Wednesday, another protest will be held in Durban.
Katya Fedkina, representing the group in Durban, says the other demand is for the return of displaced Ukrainian children to their families.
"The Russian Federation has actively and intentionally deported more than a thousand children from Ukraine to Russia.
"Ukraine has identified and provided to the international community of the Red Cross the names of 19 338 deported children. The deportation, abduction and separation of children from their parents is the basis for an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin by the International Criminal Court."
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Putin is not attending the summit but addressed a plenary session via video link.
