German revellers swap Carnival parade for anti-war rally

Revellers wearing costumes attend the "Friedensdemonstration" (peace demonstration) replaced the Cologne Rose Monday parade, after Russia invaded Ukraine, in Cologne, Germany, February 28, 2022. REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen

COLOGNE (Reuters) - Germans in Cologne swapped their traditional Carnival festivities for an anti-war rally on Monday that featured parade floats lampooning Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

The Cologne Carnival parade, at which clubs traditionally poke fun at Germany's politicians with colourful floats, was cancelled last week in favour of a "peace demonstration" after Russia invaded Ukraine in the biggest assault on a European country since World War Two.