Dressed in the blue and yellow colours of the Ukraine flag and bearing posters crying "No World War 3," hundreds of thousands of people descended on the streets Sunday in solidarity with Ukraine as it battles the invading Russian army.
From Berlin to Baghdad to Quito, demonstrators chanted "shame" against Russian President Vladimir Putin, while others waved banners with slogans like "Putin murderer" or "stop the monster."
In the German capital, police estimated turnout at least 100,000, while Prague drew 70,000 and Amsterdam 15,000.
Organizers of the Berlin protest put the numbers at five times the police estimate, with demonstrators massing at the Brandenburg Gate, a stone's throw away from the imposing Russian embassy on major boulevard Unter den Linden.
Although the embassy -- in which Russian diplomats not only work but live -- was cordoned off by police, some protesters gathered in front shouting "glory to Ukraine" and singing Ukrainian songs.
"It is important to me for Germany to show that it is standing for democracy in Europe," said Hans Georg Kieler, 49, who had turned out at the demonstration.
He voiced approval for Germany's decision to begin delivering armaments to Ukraine, but said he thought "we could have helped Ukraine more."
Ukrainian Valeria Moiseeva was also at the march.
"I am personally disappointed by Russia, I hate Russia, I hate all Russians," the pregnant 35-year-old said, adding that her mother was now sitting in a cellar in Kyiv in fear of bombs.
She said she had to be at the demonstration because "I can't do more than that."
