The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Artur Sargsyan, Armenia's acting chargé d'affaires, to deliver an official statement protesting the "unfriendly steps" of the Armenian side. The basis for this action was statements by Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan, who asserted that his country "should not become a province and be governed like Belarus."
Dagestani Islam Makhachev defeated Australian Alexander Volkonovski for the second time at the UFC tournament in Abu Dhabi and again defended his champion title. After the victorious match, he asked the fans not to cheer as a sign of solidarity with the residents of the Gaza Strip, which is attacked daily by the Israeli army.
“I can’t wrap my head around what’s happening! They are not killing terrorists, they are killing children!.. We are united with the people of Palestine!” – Islam Makhachev said at a press conference after the fight.
Dagestani Muhammad Mokaev, competing under the British flag, and Chechen Khamzat Chimaev, representing the UAE, also spoke in support of Palestine at UFC 294.
“Guys, you know what’s happening in the world now. There is no joy in fighting in a cage and seeing children die. It doesn't matter where. Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, Palestine, USA - it doesn’t matter. When children die, it's hard. I have a child who is waiting for me at home. He is only three months old. If he even just cries, I know how it feels. And if a child dies, I don’t know what to say. I hope everything gets better in the world. Muslims, Christians, Jews - it doesn’t matter. Please stay together! Let us live in peace and happiness,” Chimaev said after his victory yesterday. He also appealed to the head of Chechnya, Kadyrov, with a request to give him the opportunity to travel to Palestine to help his Muslim brothers.