Hundreds of demonstrators, including many representatives of Estonian and other European communities in Toronto marched through downtown core Sunday to focus attention on the plight of Ukraine as war there continues unabated.
The march was led by a giant tractor sporting the sign, “The Anti-Tank Tractor Brigade”, in reference to the Ukrainian farmers who have towed away out-of-fuel Russian military equipment.
Many called for establishment of the no fly zone over Ukraine and for Russian President Vladimir Putin to be punished for war crimes.
Retired Canadian general Rick Hillier, who addressed the crowd, said Russia escalated the conflict to the “top level” when the country’s military invaded Ukraine.
“This is going to drag on for a while. Canada is going to have to be there with Ukraine, with our Western allies, for a long period of time yet,” added Hillier.
Hillier insisted that the West should step up with more help. “I am completely in favour of a no-fly zone. I think we should’ve done it long ago. I think we can start it incrementally by putting a no-fly zone over the humanitarian routes in the western part of Ukraine,” he said.
Photos: Ülo Isberg
