CANADA

Delete the Smear Jagmeet, Tell Truth and Help Palestinians

by Yves Engler / February 19th, 2024

Jagmeet Singh’s refusal to delete a smear against internationalist, social justice, minded protesters encourages Israel’s genocide. Over 6,000 individuals have requested the NDP leader remove his anti-Palestinian slander, but Singh seems too scared of the fascistic, supremacist, genocide lobby to do what is right.

In a bid to deter Israel from slaughtering the 1.5 million Palestinians cloistered in Rafah thousands joined an emergency march in Toronto Monday evening. During the four-hour long march “Spiderman for Palestine” and another individual climbed atop scaffolding in front of a (closed) entrance to Mount Sinai Hospital to waive a Palestinian flag as they did at numerous other spots.

In response Canada’s genocide apparatus whipped up faux outrage that a public institution with Jewish roots was targeted. As he’s done in the past, Singh followed the apartheid lobby in smearing justice minded activists, claiming the march “targeted” the Toronto institution “because of its ties to the Jewish community.” But Singh’s statement is baseless, as is detailed in this article and this interview with a member of the Jews Against Genocide coalition.

Apparently, it doesn’t matter how many Palestinian children Israel kills. Singh remains committed to taking his cues from Canadian groups promoting the slaughter. It doesn’t matter how many Palestinian hospitals the apartheid lobby enables Israel to destroy. Singh acts like they are troubled by a Spider-Man costumed flag waiver outside a closed hospital entrance. Under the cover of opposing “antisemitism”, Singh continues to promote genocidal anti-Palestinianism.

Singh’s smear has, unsurprisingly, been cited by right wingers and Israeli nationalists to justify more racism and killing. In the National Post Chris Selley cited Singh’s endorsement of the Mount Sinai libel. So did the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs after Canada’s Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia Amira Elghawaby questioned the Mount Sinai hoax. In a post calling for her ouster, CIJA cited Singh’s post echoing their baseless claim about the hospital. If CIJA’s attacks on Elghawaby lead to a bout of Islamophobia Singh will be partly to blame. Singh’s smear also contributed to an alleged hate crime with an individual calling the Toronto police to threaten to kill protesters for targeting the hospital.

Singh’s Mount Sinai libel illustrates the remarkable disconnect between the popular uprising and parliamentary social democracy. Over the past 20 weeks there have been hundreds of mass protests across the country yet I’m only aware of one MP attending a Palestine protest. NDP MP Matthew Green spoke during a march in Toronto on November 12. (Conversely, the PM, Deputy PM, ministers and MPs have attended far smaller and less numerous pro-genocide rallies.)

One reason MPs have not attended the demonstrations is out of a concern for being smeared (Green was forced to release a statement defending himself after speaking in Toronto). By besmirching Monday’s anti-genocide march Singh is making it even more difficult for MPs to attend protests (presumably he has privately warned NDP MPs against attending). The dearth of political participation reduces media coverage and the impact of the protests. It also enables the increasing criminalization of the protests. It’s no coincidence that after the remarkable smear against Monday’s demonstration the Toronto police threatened $10 000 fines to anyone leading chants on the moving truck at the front of Saturday’s march.

In Vancouver the city’s police department released a statement prior to Saturday’s demonstration calling on protesters not to obstruct hospitals. In effect, the smear (somewhat contradictorily) is being broadened into the notion that the anti-genocide marches are “targeting” hospitals.

(A prominent genocide campaigner in Vancouver, Bob Mackin, posted the police statement with a note that the city’s St Paul’s hospital — which has Catholic roots but may have Jewish staff — is 1.3km from the announced starting point of the march. He followed that up with a post noting the protesters passed the central intersection of Burrard and Robson, meaning “The VPD request to avoid impeding routes used to access the hospital fell upon deaf ears.”)

According to social media company’s data, 2.4 million viewed Singh’s anti-genocide smear on X. That is far more interaction than his usual posts with the comments and quote tweets overwhelmingly hostile. In addition, as mentioned above, 6,000 individuals have emailed Singh requesting he delete his post.

His lack of action demonstrates how much he, and other politicians, fear the apartheid lobby’s reaction. Removing his post would draw into question their big “antisemitism” lie tactic. It would help disable the power of the lie to intimidate.

Millions of Canadians oppose the smears based on lies and the justifications for genocide that go along with them and would cheer Singh deleting the post. He should embrace the truth and do what’s right.

Please take a minute to email Singh and all the NDP MPs to demand he remove his anti-Palestinian post.

Yves Engler is the author of 12 books. His latest book is Stand on Guard for Whom?: A People's History of the Canadian Military . Read other articles by Yves.

 

Clash of resolutions at UN signals continued war in Gaza amid US caveats

The US draft text “determines that under current circumstances a major ground offensive into Rafah would result in further harm to civilians”.

Tuesday 20/02/2024

A file picture shows a United Nations Security Council meeting on the war in the Gaza Strip taking place at the UN headquarters in New York, US. REUTERS

UNITED NATIONS

 

 Israel hit Gaza with new air strikes on Tuesday as world powers grappled with how to broker a ceasefire ahead of a UN Security Council vote while the United Nations sounded the alarm over the humanitarian situation in the besieged territory, warning that food shortages could lead to an “explosion” of preventable child deaths.

The United States has proposed a rival draft United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a “temporary ceasefire” in the Israel-Hamas war “as soon as practicable”, signalling a de facto green-light for the continuation of the war in Gaza but despite a call to delay any assault on Rafah and reservations about future Israeli steps in the enclave.

The move comes after the US indicated it would veto on Tuesday an Algerian-drafted resolution “demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire” over concerns it could jeopardise talks between the US, Egypt, Israel and Qatar that seek to broker a pause in the war and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Until now, Washington has been averse to the word ceasefire in any UN action on the Israel-Hamas war while continuing to supply the Jewish state with weapons for the conduct of the war.

The US text echoes language that President Joe Biden said he used last week in conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

It would see the Security Council “underscore its support for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza as soon as practicable, based on the formula of all hostages being released, and calls for lifting all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale.”

The United States does “not plan to rush” to a vote and intends to allow time for negotiations, a senior US administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Monday.

To pass, a resolution needs at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the US, France, Britain, Russia or China.

The US draft text “determines that under current circumstances a major ground offensive into Rafah would result in further harm to civilians and their further displacement including potentially into neighbouring countries.”

Israel plans to storm Rafah, where more than one million of the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza have sought shelter, prompting international concern that an assault would sharply worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The UN has warned it “could lead to a slaughter.”

The draft US resolution says such a move “would have serious implications for regional peace and security, and therefore underscores that such a major ground offensive should not proceed under current circumstances.”

Washington traditionally shields Israel from UN action and has twice vetoed council resolutions since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants. But it has also abstained twice, allowing the council to adopt resolutions that aimed to boost aid to Gaza and called for extended pauses in fighting.

This is the second time since October 7 that Washington has proposed a Security Council resolution on Gaza. Russia and China vetoed its first attempt in late October.

While the US was ready to allow Israel to proceed in Gaza by vetoing the Algerian draft resolution on Tuesday, International Crisis Group UN Director Richard Gowan said Israel would be more concerned by the text Washington drafted.

“The simple fact that the US is tabling this text at all is a warning shot for Netanyahu,” he said. “It is the strongest signal the US has sent at the UN so far that Israel cannot rely on American diplomatic protection indefinitely.”

A second senior US administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the US draft does not suggest “anything about the dynamics of any particular relationship, whether that’s with the Israelis or any other partner we have.”

The draft US text would condemn calls by some Israeli government ministers for Jewish settlers to move to Gaza and would reject any attempt at demographic or territorial change in Gaza that would violate international law.

The resolution would also reject “any actions by any party that reduce the territory of Gaza, on a temporary or permanent basis, including through the establishment officially or unofficially of so-called buffer zones, as well as the widespread, systematic demolition of civilian infrastructure.”

Reuters reported in December that Israel told several Arab states that it wants to carve out a buffer zone inside Gaza’s borders to prevent attacks after the war ends.

The war began when fighters from the Hamas militant group that runs Gaza attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. In retaliation, Israel launched a military assault on Gaza that health authorities say has killed nearly 29,000 Palestinians with thousands more bodies feared lost amid the ruins.

In December, more than three-quarters of the 193-member UN General Assembly voted to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry political weight, reflecting a global view on the war.

Two-state solution universal consensus to settle Palestinian question: China

Beijing reacts to Tel Aviv's stance that it will not accept international mandate for permanent solution to Palestinian issue

20/02/2024 Tuesday AA

A two-state solution is the universal consensus of the international community to settle the Palestinian question, said China on Monday, dismissing Israel's “declaratory decision” to reject any recognition of Palestinian statehood by the UN or other countries.

“Implementing the two-State solution is the only way to end the cycle of conflict between Palestine and Israel,” said Mao Ning, spokeswoman of China's Foreign Ministry, while answering questions from Anadolu.

“China stands ready to work with all parties to hold a more broad-based, authoritative and effective international peace conference as early as possible, formulate a concrete timetable and roadmap for the implementation of the two-State solution and support Palestine and Israel in resuming peace talks soon for the ultimate peaceful coexistence between the two states of Palestine and Israel,” Mao explained.

The ministry spokeswoman was reacting to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that Tel Aviv will not accept an international mandate for a permanent solution to the Palestinian issue, according to a transcript of her news conference held in Beijing.

On a second question by Anadolu regarding impending military operation by Israel in Rafah city of Gaza, Mao said China was “closely watching the developments” in the city.

“We oppose and condemn acts against civilians and international law,” she said.

“We call on Israel to stop military operations as soon as possible, do everything possible to avoid casualties among innocent civilians and prevent a more devastating humanitarian disaster in Rafah,” said the Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman.

The Palestinian death toll from Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7 has risen to 29,092, the Health Ministry in the besieged Palestinian enclave said on Monday. 69,028 others were also injured in the ongoing onslaught.

Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas in October, in which nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed.

The Israeli war on Gaza has pushed 85% of the territory's population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which in an interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

Mao also said China would take part in the public hearings of the ICJ to have an in-depth elaboration on Beijing's policy propositions on the question of Palestine.

Beijing will state China's positions on relevant international law issues regarding the right to self-determination, international humanitarian law, international human rights law and State responsibility, she said.

The spokeswoman said China will express its "firm support for the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights and interests."

"China stands ready to work with the rest of the international community to continue making positive contribution to an early settlement of the Palestinian question and the realization of lasting peace and stability in the Middle East," she added.

Gaza women, girls being strip searched, raped by male Israel soldiers, UN warns

February 20, 2024

Relatives of the injured and dead are crying and mourning as Injured Palestinians, including women, children and babies, receive medical treatment after being taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital following an Israeli attack on An-Nasirat Refugee Camp on February 17, 2024 [Ashraf Amra/Anadolu Agency]

Palestinian women and girls held in Israeli detention are “being stripped naked and searched by male Israeli army officers”, raped and “allegedly kept in a cage in the rain and cold, without food,” UN experts warned yesterday.

Raising the alarm, the members of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, said: “We are shocked by reports of the deliberate targeting and extrajudicial killing of Palestinian women and children in places where they sought refuge, or while fleeing. Some of them were reportedly holding white pieces of cloth when they were killed by the Israeli army or affiliated forces.”

Many Palestinian women and girls in Gaza have reportedly been subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment, denied menstruation pads, food and medicine and severely beaten, they added

.

“We are particularly distressed by reports that Palestinian women and girls in detention have also been subjected to multiple forms of sexual assault, such as being stripped naked and searched by male Israeli army officers. At least two female Palestinian detainees were reportedly raped while others were reportedly threatened with rape and sexual violence,” the experts said. They also noted that photos of female detainees in degrading circumstances were also reportedly taken by the Israeli army and uploaded online.

They also expressed concern that “an unknown number of Palestinian women and children, including girls, have reportedly gone missing after contact with the Israeli army in Gaza.” “There are disturbing reports of at least one female infant forcibly transferred by the Israeli army into Israel, and of children being separated from their parents, whose whereabouts remain unknown,” they said.

“We remind the Government of Israel of its obligation to uphold the right to life, safety, health, and dignity of Palestinian women and girls and to ensure that no one is subjected to violence, torture, ill-treatment or degrading treatment, including sexual violence,” the experts said.

“Taken together, these alleged acts may constitute grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, and amount to serious crimes under international criminal law that could be prosecuted under the Rome Statute,” the experts said.

The experts include Reem Alsalem, special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences; Francesca Albanese, special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967; Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Claudia Flores, Ivana Krstić, Haina Lu and Laura Nyirinkindi, of the working group on discrimination against women and girls.

READ: UN experts ‘appalled’ by reported rights violations against Palestinian women, girls

 

Shin Bet chief said to warn Temple Mount curbs on Ramadan could spark holy war

Ronen Bar reportedly tells cabinet that limiting Arab Israelis’ access to Al-Aqsa could turn Gaza conflict into Jewish-Muslim fight, playing into hands of Hamas; IDF said to warn of manpower issues

By TOI STAFFToday, 

Palestinians wave Palestinian and Islamic flags as they rally at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, following the last Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, on April 29, 2022. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP)

The head of the Shin Bet security service reportedly warned ministers that Israel’s war against the Hamas terror group could expand and take on overtones of a religious conflict if restrictions are imposed on the entry of Arab Israelis to the Al-Aqsa compound atop the Temple Mount in Jerusalem during the approaching month of Ramadan.

Reports late on Sunday said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed security officials at a cabinet meeting that evening to present options for age criteria and quotas that could be placed on Arab citizens wishing to visit the holy site for the holiday, in line with proposals advanced by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

According to a report by the Kan public broadcaster Monday, Shin Bet director Ronen Bar warned at the meeting that imposing restrictions on Arab Israelis would spark an angry backlash and play into the hands of Hamas, which has sought to stir violent Arab unrest inside Israel from October 7 and amid the war in Gaza, now in its fifth month. Hamas called its mass-murdering October 7 onslaught on southern Israel “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” in an effort to claim religious legitimacy for its atrocities.

Previous reports had noted opposition to the curbs voiced by Shin Bet and Israeli Defense Forces representatives at the Sunday meeting, alongside support for the curbs from police, though not police chief Kobi Shabtai.

With Ramadan set to begin the second week of March, Israeli officials have expressed worries that the sensitive period could amplify tensions stemming from Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which has sparked worldwide Muslim anger toward the Jewish state.

The Temple Mount, known to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, is considered the holiest place in Judaism, where two biblical Temples once stood, and the third-holiest site in Islam, making it a central flashpoint of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims crowd the site each Ramadan as religious fervor is heightened. While Israel has imposed restrictions on Palestinian access during times of heightened security tensions, it has refrained from imposing those rules on the country’s Muslim minority.

Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet security agency, speaks at the annual Cyber Week event at Tel Aviv University, on June 27, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

According to the Kan report, Netanyahu called restrictions “logical,” noting that Israel is “in a situation that we have never been in before.”

Bar warned, by contrast, that the moves could harm efforts by the government and security officials to keep the ongoing war as a conflict solely between Israel and Hamas.

“Actions of this type may create a false sense of war between Jews and Muslims,” Bar said, noting that Israel’s Arabs had largely refrained from coming out in support of Hamas.

“Restrictions on Arab Israelis will only cause harm,” Bar said. “[Arab Israelis] haven’t demonstrated since the beginning of the war, and restrictions are exactly what could incite them.”

The Kan report did not cite a source for the quotes.

Tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound atop the Temple Mount during the holy month of Ramadan, Jerusalem’s Old City, April 17, 2023. (Jamal Awad/Flash90)

War erupted on October 7 when Hamas led a devastating attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip that killed 1,200 people. Some 3,000 attackers burst through the border and rampaged murderously through southern regions amid horrific atrocities of gang rape, torture, and mutilation of victims.

According to two officials cited by Kan, the restrictions would bar all Arab Israelis under the age of 40 from accessing the mosque compound, with entry restrictions for women and children to be decided in the future.

Security officials reportedly told the meeting that most troublemakers from among Arab Israelis or from East Jerusalem are below the age of 40. That includes members of banned organizations, as well as those who have no affiliation but are known to the Shin Bet and police.

The restrictions would be in place for the first week of Ramadan, the report said, after which a decision would be made on continuing the arrangements or easing them.

The sources said that Netanyahu backed the proposal and asked for a more detailed examination of the idea.

On Sunday, the Prime Minister’s office issued a vague statement that said the premier had “made a balanced decision that allows freedom of religion with necessary security limits, which have been set by professional officials.”

According to a Channel 13 report on the meeting, Bar warned that Hamas would take advantage of ill will created by the restrictions to turn the conflict into a holy war.

Ben Gvir, whose responsibility covers the police, dismissed Bar’s warning according to the channel, referencing failings by the Shin Bet and IDF in identifying Hamas’s October 7 plans and preparations. Bar has personally admitted to failures on the matter.

Defense Minister Gallant pushed back against Ben Gvir, Channel 13 said. “A strategic warning by the Shin Bet is not something that is presented every day. I suggest we look at it responsibly,” he reportedly responded.

Army officials also reportedly expressed worries that if anger did boil over, it could impact IDF manpower issues, with the army already fighting a war in Gaza and dealing with hostility in the north.

“We need to make decisions and understand what the consequences are, and what will happen if it is necessary to mobilize forces from Gaza to [the West Bank],” IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi told ministers.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir leads an Otzma Yehudit faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on February 19, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

IDF Operations chief Brig. Gen. Oded Basyuk cautioned that a multifront escalation “will force us to move forces from one place to another,” according to the Kan report.

Though previous reports have said that Israel Police support restrictions, Kan reported that police chief Shabtai pushed back against worries that Arab Israelis could foment unrest.

“The Arab Israelis are behaving excellently,” Shabtai told the Sunday cabinet meeting. “They should be given a medal. [Hamas] tried to incite them during the war, and it didn’t happen.”

“You shouldn’t take everything for granted,” Ben Gvir responded. “That is also a concept of the security establishment. Just as Jews are restricted from entering the Temple Mount, Arabs should also be restricted. We are in a time of war and there is a likelihood of terrorist attacks. My opinion and the opinion of the police are one.”

Shabtai reportedly retorted, “Our opinion is not unanimous. We propose different restrictions.”

Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai attends a Rosh Hashanah ceremony at police headquarters in Jerusalem on September 13, 2023. (Arie Leib Abrams/ Flash90)

The Channel 13 report detailed a police compromise that would ban 5,000 Arab Israelis considered troublemakers.

A source told the network that “not only the IDF and the Shin Bet make security decisions. The responsibility for security on the Temple Mount is in the hands of the police, and they have ultimate discretion regarding Ramadan.”

Ben Gvir had reportedly also called for additional measures such as limiting attendance at the Temple Mount to 5,000 and giving police permission to storm the site if there is any display of support for Hamas or its leader Yahya Sinwar.

Both proposals were rejected. According to Channel 13, Netanyahu is looking at allowing 40,000-50,000 Arab Israelis onto the Temple Mount during each day of the month of Ramadan.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a Knesset plenum session on February 19, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Sources in the government criticized the haphazard way the meeting was carried out, Channel 13 reported.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has reportedly cautioned against age-based limitations on Arab Israelis who wish to pray at the Al-Aqsa compound atop the Temple Mount during Ramadan, saying that such a step would likely face legal obstacles.

Meanwhile, Kan reported all those who attended the cabinet meeting were required to sign a secrecy agreement opening them to prosecution if they leaked any details.

Netanyahu has been frustrated by the sieve-like nature of the cabinet meetings, including those dealing with sensitive security matters, as discussions are often rapidly leaked to the media.

Norway set to serve as go-between for Palestinian Authority getting revenues from Israel

Norway's temporary scheme will play 'crucial role' in preventing Palestinian Authority from collapsing financially, says statement

- 20/02/2024
AA

Norway said under a new deal, it will act as a go-between to enable the

 Palestinian Authority to get revenues collected by Israel on its behalf.

On Monday, the Scandinavian government said after the clashes starting last Oct. 7 with an attack by Hamas, the situation between the parties has been "deadlocked."

Norway's temporary scheme will play a "crucial role" in preventing the Palestinian Authority from collapsing financially, the statement said.

Jonas Gahr Store, the Norwegian prime minister, said in a statement: "With our assistance to this solution, the Palestinian Authority will be able to pay salaries, thus making it possible to continue to provide essential services to the Palestinian population, keep schools open, and ensure that health workers are paid."

The government underlined that the Palestinian Authority's economic position has grown even more precarious since October.

"There have been reports of an imminent financial collapse," it added.

The statement highlighted that one of the reasons for this problem is that Israel has withheld some of the clearance revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.

"The Palestinian Authority has refused to accept all transfers unless Israel changes its decision. The impasse has gone on for several months," it noted.

Espen Barth Eide, the Norwegian foreign minister, also said Norway worked closely with parties and together they agreed on a temporary solution in which Norway will serve as an intermediary for holding portions of the clearance revenues taxes that Israel has withheld.

Under the deal, "the portion of the revenues that Israel will transfer to Norway will remain in a Norwegian account until the parties agree whether Norway may release the funds to the Palestinian Authority."

Canada supplying hundreds of drones to Ukraine

Aid comes as Russia-Ukraine war nears two-year mark on Feb. 24

 20/02/2024 Tuesday
AA


The Canadian government is donating 800 drones to help Ukraine in its war against Russia, Defense Minister Bill Blair announced Monday.

The drones can carry surveillance cameras to help in Ukraine's reconnaissance missions, Blair said.

“These drones are going to help Ukraine's front-line troops assess targets and threats quickly with accuracy and effectiveness,” he said during a press conference in Toronto.

He said the drones ensure detection of targets that are critical in Ukraine's defense against Russia.

“Canada will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” Blair said.

The announcement comes at an opportune time as Blair earlier urged allies to step up aid to the beleaguered country as a $95 billion foreign aid bill in the US that includes about $60 billion to support Ukraine is bogged down in political fighting.

The drones are valued at CAN$95 million ($70.4 million) and the cost is covered under a CAN$500 million aid package announced by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this past summer. It brings the amount Canada has spent supporting Ukraine since the war began on Feb. 24, 2022 to CAN$9.7 billion.

The SkyRanger R70 drones are expected to be delivered in early April. Blair said he also wants to boost Canada's production of military goods.

“The only response to a tyrant like (Russian President) Vladimir Putin is strength and resilience,” he said. “We will not forget Ukraine. We will never abandon Ukraine…until it wins this war.”​​​​​​​

This Saturday marks two years since Russia invaded Ukraine. The UN estimated in January that 10,000 civilians have died – many of them children – and 19,000 have been wounded.