2022 Moscow rally
Political rally and concert | |
Organised by | Vladimir Putin |
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Participants | 200,000+ (according to police) |
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The 2022 Moscow rally, officially known in Russia as "For a world without Nazism" (
Event
The arena and stage featured slogans reading "For a world without Nazism",[a] "For the president",[b] and "For Russia",[c] but featuring the Latin Z character in place of the usual Cyrillic З.[4] Some signs also featured Saint George's ribbon-styled Z's with the hashtag #СвоихНеБросаем,[5] meaning "we don't abandon our own".[6]
The rally's content, described by
Numerous
The rally marked Russian President Vladimir Putin's first public appearance since the start of the invasion of Ukraine.[2] In his speech, which he opened by quoting the Constitution of Russia, Putin congratulated the "people of Crimea and Sevastopol" and wished them a "happy anniversary" of the annexation of Crimea. He went on to discuss those areas' finances and infrastructure, claiming that instead of Ukraine's "leftover financing" provided, Russia "needed to drag Crimea out of that humiliating position". Putin further alleged a "genocide" by Ukraine against the people of Donbas, before quoting the Bible's "no greater love" passage from John 15. Finally, Putin noted that Fyodor Ushakov's birthday was 24 February, the same date that the invasion of Ukraine was launched in 2022.[22] Part of his televised speech on Russia-24 was interrupted by a technical problem.[23][24]
Reaction
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a video message released on 19 March, mentioned the rally:[25]
Many words were heard in Moscow today in connection with the anniversary of the seizure of Crimea. A big rally took place. And I want to pay attention to one detail. It is reported that a total of about 200,000 people were involved in the rally in the Russian capital. 100,000 on the streets, about 95,000 at the stadium. Approximately the same number of Russian troops were involved in the invasion of Ukraine. Just imagine 14,000 corpses and tens of thousands of wounded and maimed people at that stadium in Moscow. There are already so many Russian losses as a result of this invasion. This is the price of war. In a little more than three weeks. The war must end.[25]
Putin's remarks made references to Bible passages and Russian military history, which was seen as reflecting a broader pattern of the leader using religion and history to help form a Russian nationalist identity.[26] Conservative U.S. political commentator Sean Hannity, a supporter of former U.S. president Donald Trump, said that the rally appeared to be used by Putin for "channeling his inner Donald Trump," while the liberal HuffPost described the rally as "terrifying" and "ominous" and said that Putin was "in full dictator mode."[27][28] Putin also received criticism for wearing what appeared to be a US$13,000 Loro Piana parka.[3]
The athletes were criticized in media outside of Russia for their participation in the rally.
Rylov's appearance resulted in a
Ukrainian athletes directly criticized Russian athletes for their participation. Ukrainian gymnast and Olympic medallist Oleg Verniaiev criticized Kuliak for attending and for wearing an Olympic medal he had not earned himself.[21] Ukrainian world-record swimmer Andriy Govorov described seeing his friend Rylov attending the rally and wearing a "Z" symbol as "heartbreaking."[30] Ukrainian ice dancers Oleksandra Nazarova and Maksym Nikitin criticized the figure skaters for their participation, saying that "Not so long ago we supported them in this difficult Olympic season, now they support the war against us and our country."[31][34]
The Latvian government banned performers who participated in the rally from entering the country.[38]
Historian Niall Ferguson described the rally as "fascistic".[39]
See also
- Denazification
- Nuremberg rallies
- World Without Nazism
- 2022 Moscow Victory Day Parade
- 2023 Moscow rally
Notes
- ^ "Zа мир без нацизма"; usually written "За мир без нацизма".
- ^ "Zа Президента"; usually written "За Президента".
- ^ "Zа Россию"; usually written "За Россию".
- Baltics too."[11]
- ^ Напрасный труд — нет, их не вразумишь,—
Чем либеральней, тем они пошлее,
Цивилизация — для них фетиш,
Но недоступна им ее идея.
Как перед ней ни гнитесь, господа,
Вам не снискать признанья от Европы:
В ее глазах вы будете всегда
Не слуги просвещенья, а холопы.[14]
It's no use — you will not understand them —
The more liberal the more base and cruel.
Civilization for them is a fetish,
But inaccessible to them is its ideal.
Though you may bow before it, citizens,
You will never win Europe's recognition:
In its eyes you will always be not servants
Of Enlightenment but slaves without rights.[15]
References
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- ^ a b "Putin Tells Mass Rally That Russia Will Prevail in Ukraine". VOA News. Reuters. 18 March 2022. Archived from the original on 18 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ Patel-Carstairs, Sunita (19 March 2022). "Putin hails 'special operation' in Ukraine at massive celebration party for 'reunification' of Crimea". Sky News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
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- ^ "Putin praises unity at Moscow rally to support Ukraine invasion". Le Prensa Latina. 18 March 2022. Archived from the original on 18 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ Vernon, Will (18 March 2022). "Putin hails Crimea annexation and war with lessons on heroism". BBC News. Archived from the original on 18 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ a b c McCarriston, Shanna (23 March 2022). "Russian Olympic athletes facing backlash after attending rally to support Vladimir Putin". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
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