At his marathon year-end news conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed questions about the future of the conflict in Ukraine and dismissed suggestions that Moscow is preparing for a broader military confrontation with Europe.
Asked directly whether Russia intends to launch military action against European countries, Putin said Moscow’s position depends on how it is treated by Western governments. “There will be no special operations if you treat us with respect, if you respect our interests as we have always tried to respect yours. There will be no further Russian invasions if you do not humiliate us as you did when you expanded NATO eastward,” Putin said.
The Russian leader also revisited his proposal for ending the war in Ukraine, pointing back to terms he publicly outlined last year. He reiterated that Moscow expects Kyiv to renounce its bid to join NATO, withdraw forces from four regions claimed by Russia, reduce the size of its military, and grant official status to the Russian language. Putin additionally called for new presidential elections in Ukraine.
Putin argued that Russia remains open to a negotiated resolution, insisting that responsibility for the lack of progress lies elsewhere. “The only thing I want to say is that we have always said this: we are ready to end this conflict peacefully, based on the principles I outlined in June last year at the Russian Foreign Ministry, and by addressing the roots that led to this crisis,” he said during the event, which stretched for more than four hours.
He also spoke positively about U.S. President Donald Trump’s involvement, saying he appreciated Trump’s role in seeking an end to the war. At the same time, Putin accused Western governments of preventing an agreement. “It is the West, not Russia, that is blocking the deal. The ball is in the court of our Western opponents, primarily the leaders of the Kyiv regime, and in this case, above all, their European backers,” he said.
Ukrainian officials, for their part, have already rejected Moscow’s territorial demands, including calls for Kyiv to surrender Crimea, Donbas, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, areas Russia claims as its own.
{Matzav.com}
A 15-year-old from Beit Shemesh who drew nati1onwide attention last month after climbing a crane at the Marom Tower near the entrance to Yerushalayim attempted to scale the site again on Friday morning, but was stopped before reaching dangerous heights.
The earlier incident ended with the teen being rescued by fire and rescue crews. This time, his attempt was cut short when he was intercepted by a passerby and later taken in by police for questioning at the Lev HaBira station.
According to reports, the teen was spotted trying to breach the perimeter fence leading toward the 39-story Marom Tower. Photographer and drone hobbyist Malkiel Elbaz noticed the attempt and chose to intervene to prevent another life-threatening situation.
Elbaz described the encounter, saying, “I was passing near the central bus station and saw a boy trying to cross the fence toward the Marom Tower. I came closer and asked him where he was going. He told me that he had been up there a month ago and that he was going up again.”
Realizing the danger, Elbaz said he took immediate action. “I was alone and decided to act. I notified the police and started talking to him, and when I saw that he was about to cross the fence, I jumped up, grabbed him, and held him for a few minutes until more help arrived. Then police officers came and took over.”
After the incident, Elbaz issued a public appeal, warning of the risks involved. “I have one request of you—pay attention to your friends. This is not a joke; these are people’s lives.”
Police confirmed that the teen was brought in for questioning following the incident.
{Matzav.com}
Rabbi Leibel Druck z”l, a respected member of the Karlin-Stolin community and a longtime melamed at Etz Chaim, passed away early Friday at the age of 79.
The niftar, who resided in Beitar Illit in recent years and was formerly a resident of Yerushalayim’s Rechov Yirmiyahu, had been ill over the past period. During the night, he suffered cardiac arrest and was niftar.
Rabbi Druck was born in Yerushalayim on 8 Elul 5706 (1946) to his father, Rav Chaim Druck zt”l, author of Oros Chaim and one of the prominent rabbonim of Yeshivas Etz Chaim. His father was a talmid of Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer. His mother was Mrs. Batya a”h.
Upon reaching marriageable age, he married the daughter of Rav Moshe Cohen zt”l.
For many years, Rabbi Druck served as a devoted melamed at Etz Chaim in Ramat Shlomo, where he was known as a warm and caring educator who consistently went out of his way to help others. Those who knew him describe him as a gentle and giving individual, deeply committed to his talmidim and to those around him.
In recent years, he relocated to Beitar Illit to live near his children. He is survived by his family, including his sons and daughters, sons-in-law, and many descendants.
His levayah took place Friday morning, departing from the Shamgar Funeral Home in Yerushalayim to Har HaMenuchos, where he was laid to rest.
The family will be sitting shivah at his home, 38 Maggid of Mezeritch Street, Beitar Illit.
Yehi zichro baruch.
{Matzav.com}
Rabbi Moshe Chaim Hertzel z”l, a distinguished member of the Belzer community in Antwerp and one of the owners of the Hertzel-Gold dairy, widely known as Europe’s Jewish dairy, has passed away at the age of 70 following an illness.
Rabbi Hertzel was born in the month of Adar 5716 (1956) to his father, Rabbi Yosef Yisrael Hertzel z”l, one of the senior Belzer chassidim in Antwerp and among the founders and owners of the only Jewish-owned dairy in Europe. His mother was the daughter of Rabbi Shmuel Yosef Friedman.
As a youth, he studied in the educational institutions of Belzer chassidus. Upon reaching marriageable age, he married his wife, the daughter of Rabbi Tzvi Davidson.
Rabbi Hertzel was widely known as a man of extraordinary chessed. He donated significant sums of his personal wealth to Belz institutions worldwide, with particular dedication to the institutions in Antwerp. Among his many acts of generosity, he regularly covered the annual costs of refreshments on the first day of Selichos at the Beis Medrash in Kiryat Belz in Yerushalayim, an event that draws thousands of Belzer chassidim each year.
Despite his financial success, he was known for his humility and discretion, quietly assisting families in need and giving charity without seeking recognition.
His levayah will take place on Motzaei Shabbos in Antwerp. His aron will then be flown to Eretz Yisrael, where the levayah will be held on Sunday night, Leil Zos Chanukah, in Kiryat Belz in Yerushalayim. He will be laid to rest in the Kehillas Machzikei Hadas section of Har HaMenuchos.
Yehi zichro baruch.
{Matzav.com}
Work crews began preparations at the Kennedy Center on Friday to reflect the board’s decision to add President Donald Trump’s name to the iconic performing arts complex, one day after the vote was taken.
Early in the morning, large blue tarps were draped across portions of the building’s exterior, shielding the activity from public view. Before the coverings were fully in place, a large letter “D” could be seen mounted on the structure, while workers operated from scaffolding along the façade of the building originally named for President John F. Kennedy.
Under the resolution approved by the board, the venue will now be known as The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Trump, a Republican, currently serves as chairman of the board.
The decision has drawn objections from critics, including Democrat members of Congress who sit on the board in an ex-officio capacity, as well as several historians. They argue that authority to alter the center’s official name rests solely with Congress, not the board.
The Kennedy Center now joins a growing list of Washington landmarks bearing Trump’s name. Earlier this year, his name was also added to the building that houses the U.S. Institute of Peace.
{Matzav.com}
