Around 200 people gathered in Lausanne’s city center on Tuesday evening to mark the fourth anniversary of the war in Ukraine, attending a benefit concert intended to raise funds for humanitarian aid, according to reports from the Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA.
The gathering took place in front of the Saint-Laurent Church, where attendees listened to performances from a variety of musicians, including a children’s choir and a youth band. Organizers stated that all proceeds from the concert would be directed towards supporting humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
A flyer advertising the event, distributed by pro-Ukrainian organizations, emphasized the importance of continued vigilance, stating, “We must not acquire used to war.” It continued, “While you read these lines, Ukraine continues to fight – for its freedom, for international law, for the security and freedom of all of Europe.”
An open-air photography exhibition, titled “The Brave Save Lives,” dedicated to the rescuers of Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, was also on display on the steps of Saint-Laurent Church, having been installed on February 20th and remaining open through Tuesday.
Similar displays of solidarity were reported across Switzerland. In Zurich, approximately 1,000 people demonstrated, marching from Helvetiaplatz to Bürkliplatz, organized by the association “Helvetia For Ukraine.” The group stated on Instagram that collective action was necessary to “bring the truth to light and demand a just peace.”
In Zug, around 60 people protested against what they termed “filling Putin’s war chest,” calling for stricter sanctions against Russia, including those targeting Russian liquefied natural gas and the continued sanctioning of Nord Stream 2. The protest was organized by the Group for a Switzerland without an Army, along with local Green party members and Ukrainian refugees.
In Neuchâtel, approximately 50 people gathered in the afternoon to show their support for Ukraine, while in Geneva, nearly 300 people assembled at Place des Nations at the invitation of Ukraine’s permanent mission to the United Nations and several associated organizations.
Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin acknowledged the “immense resilience” of the Ukrainian population on X, reiterating Switzerland’s commitment to “a just and sustainable peace” and its ongoing support for Ukraine through humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts.
