On the occasion of the one-month mark since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the Ukrainian community in Lebanon organized a march on Sunday in support of Ukraine.
Their demonstration took off from Dbayeh in cars bedecked with their national colors, blue and yellow, and rode along the highway to central Beirut, raising anti-war banners.
They gathered in Martyrs’ Square in downtown Beirut to participate in what they called the “invincible flag” event, carrying a 30-meter-long Ukrainian flag.
They expressed their fear for their relatives living in Ukraine and demanded that Russia stops the war immediately.
The Ukrainian community was not the only one participating in the march. They were joined by Lebanese nationals as well as Belarusian and Polish, demanding from Russia to stop the “bloody” war affecting children, women, and civilians.
Lebanon was among the first countries to denounce the Russian aggression on Ukraine, urging Russia to halt its military operations, withdraw its forces, and revert to a peaceful dialogue.
The Russian Ambassador to Lebanon criticized the Lebanese government’s move, warning that it “does not take into account the friendly relations between the two countries.” He even implied consequences to Lebanon’s stance.
Lebanon also joined the world in condemning Russian military aggression against Ukraine, along with 140 countries, during the United Nations General Assembly.
Thousands of Lebanese nationals in Ukraine have endured hardships and harsh consequences of that war, with many struggling to make it to the borders of Poland and Romania.
The war in Ukraine had also led to the development of many problems in Lebanon, notably the wheat supply putting the country’s food security at risk, the paralyzing increase in fuel prices, and the imminent threat of severe poverty.
A recent report by Mercy Corps highlighted shocking findings that Lebanon will suffer a wheat shortage, higher commodity prices of fuel and food, higher inflation rates, a rise in humanitarian needs, and a precarious macroeconomic situation.
Related: New Report Warns That The War On Ukraine Will Drive More Lebanese People Into Poverty.
