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Transcript/ScriptNATO EU PROTESTS
HEADLINE: In Brussels Streets, Demonstrators Demand NATO and EU Intervention in Ukraine
TEASER: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for a global day of protest against the Russian invasion of his country
PUBLISHED: 3/25/2022 at 7:25p
BYLINE: Henry Ridgwell
CONTRIBUTOR: Myroslava Gongadze
DATELINE: Brussels
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Ridgwell
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, Sharon Shahid DJ (ok),
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB _X_ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:55
VID APPROVED BY:
TYPE: VPKGN
EDITOR NOTES: A web story comes with this.))
((INTRO)) [[As NATO, G-7 and European Union leaders met behind closed doors in Brussels Thursday, protesters gathered outside, demanding that the West take tougher action against Russia. Henry Ridgwell reports from the Belgian capital.]]
Ukraine’s president had called for a day of protests in support of his country — and against Russia’s invasion.
Outside the European Union headquarters, where leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden were meeting, the protesters made clear their demands.
((Hanna Hopko, Former Member of Ukraine Parliament (in English)))
“We expect that NATO, the EU, and the global leadership, G-7, they finally make a decision, and we will see determination to help Ukraine to win. We ask a question: Does morality end at the NATO borders? Does humanity end at the NATO borders?”
The United Nations says more than 1,000 civilians have now been killed in Ukraine, many as a result of Russian missiles and airstrikes.
Zlata Podovolenkova fled her home in Hostomel, outside Kyiv, now a front line between Ukrainian and Russian forces. Some of her family members are still stuck in the middle of the war zone.
((Zlata Podovolenkova, Ukrainian Refugee (in English)))
“We are asking for NATO to close the sky, to provide us with weapons that will be able to help Ukraine to win this war. Because we are sure that we are going to win. But it’s not only a matter of time, it’s a matter of how many people will die, how many civilians will die in this terrible war.”
Their demands were left largely unsatisfied. NATO did agree to tighten sanctions and boost supplies of weapons and humanitarian aid — but it will not impose a no-fly zone or provide fighter jets.
((Andrea Castagna, Italian Protester (in English)))
“Europe could do much more to help Ukraine. NATO can do much more to help Ukrainians. We are, I think, in a situation which is very comparable with 1939, when people in Europe had to decide that Hitler was Hitler. And now we are in a time that we have to decide that Vladimir Putin is no longer the leader of a nation. He is an imperialistic dictator that will destroy everything that we built after the Second World War.”
The protesters lie in the road — in recognition of the brutal civilian toll in Ukraine, where in Mariupol and other cities, dead bodies have been lying the streets uncollected.
Then — a rousing chant of "Ukraine" echoed around the Brussels streets.
“Ukrainians say they are fighting on the front line for Western democracy against Russia — and so far, they are fighting alone. They are desperate for more help from NATO.”
((Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, Brussels.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Brussels
Embargo DateMarch 24, 2022 22:05 EDT
Byline
((Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, Brussels.))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
