Rome (IP) – Thousands marched in the central streets of the Italian capital, Rome, protesting against the war in Ukraine, saying NATO policies were making the situation worse.

Iran PressEurope: On Wednesday, 24 February morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially announced a special military operation against Ukraine.

Putin says he had no other choice than to launch the military operation to stop the Ukrainian military's interference in two eastern republics that have broken away from Ukraine. Russia perceives NATO's eastward expansion as a threat.

Italian demonstrators on Sunday evening held up placards denouncing NATO's expansionism, criticizing US dual policies.

Major Italian cities including Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples, and Palermo have seen mass protests in the past ten days against the war in Ukraine and sending weapons by the European Union and NATO to Ukrainian forces.

According to official figures released in Italy, the number of Ukrainian refugees who have entered Italy since the beginning of the war has increased to more than 12,000. According to the Italian Interior Ministry, an average of 2,000 Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war seek refuge in Italy every day.

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