DSC_0007_copy_Ukraine_support_rally_2014-03-02

The demonstration started outside Ukraine’s embassy and continued across the street at the former Russian embassy. (DFWatch.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Hundreds of people demonstrated in support of Ukraine on Sunday outside the Ukrainian embassy in Tbilisi.

Some came carrying Ukrainian flags and some were dressed in yellow and blue. Their posters bore slogans like “Save Ukraine”, “Russia go Home” and “Stop Russian Aggression”.

After protesting for some time outside the Ukrainian embassy, the crowd crossed the street to the former Russian embassy, to protest against the Russian Duma’s Ukraine resolution and actions in Crimea.

The building ceased to be Russian embassy after the war in 2008, but a Russian consul is inside carrying out his duties in the facility, which legally is part of the Swiss embassy.

Speakers condemned Russia’s aggressive policy and expressed support for the Ukrainian people.

Also on Sunday, the two organizations Apriori and Droa organized a demonstration in downtown Tbilisi to support Ukraine. They started at Metechi Palace Hotel and walked down to the Bridge of Peace, holding Ukrainian flags and anti-Russia posters.

Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said in a statement on Sunday that the developments in Crimea creates a danger of escalating tensions in the region.

He said Russia’s decision to send additional troops to Ukraine is a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and international law.

“The international community must respond immediately to these development and compel Russia to give up its forceful actions,” he writes, “otherwise we may end up facing yet another wave of aggression and occupation which Georgia has experienced firsthand.”

See more photos from Sunday’s rally: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.475922045841712.1073741894.118241504943103&type=1