With friends and family on both sides of the Russia and Ukraine conflict, the leader of Canadaѻýs Doukhobors says it is a sad day for his community and people everywhere.
After weeks of increasing tensions, Russia ignored global criticism and sanctions and on Feb. 24 using airstrikes, tanks, ground troops and sea-based missiles.
Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ Doukhobors executive director J.J. Verigin Jr. told Black Press he has heard from people whose loved ones have been witnessing ѻýthe tragedy of warfare ѻý whether it is explosions or artillery or airstrikes or planes flying overhead.ѻý
ѻýWe have always stood for and worked for peace, because once conflict starts it cuts like a hot knife through families, through friendships and everyone suffers except for the people who profit from everyoneѻýs misery,ѻý said Verigin.
ѻýWe are united in our prayers that the hostilities there cease as quickly as possible.ѻý
The Doukhobors are known for their pacifism and Verigin said the conflict in their homeland will cause numerous people to suffer.
ѻýPeople want peace, yet we canѻýt seem to put an end to war,ѻý he said.
ѻýEveryone seems to be gearing up for the fight, instead of trying to make peace, ratcheting up the tension ѻý by doing that, they just increase the terror.ѻý
Verigin wishes there was more that Canada could do to bring about peace abroad and at home.
ѻýYou donѻýt have to go to Ukraine to witness divisiveness in a population ѻý look what weѻýve witnessed in Canada in the last several weeks.ѻý
ѻýBecause of COVID we have had to step into a virtual world and it seems like we have lost our humanity by crossing that threshold. I hope we can recover it, because if we donѻýt then we deserve exactly what we are going to get.ѻý
As the invasion continues, . Some NATO member countries, including Canada, have promised supplies or troops to Ukraine. But NATO itself has not, since Ukraine is not a member.
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