Liberals reaffirm support for Ukraine; consult with Ukrainian-Canadian community

March 10, 2015

OTTAWA – Liberal Party of Canada Leader, Justin Trudeau, on Monday held a roundtable with members of Canada’s Ukrainian community to discuss ongoing Russian military aggression against Ukraine, as well as to reiterate his strong support for Ukrainian democracy and Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

“Canada and Ukraine have always shared a special relationship, and because of these strong ties, events in the region have hit especially close to home,” said Mr. Trudeau. “This discussion was an important opportunity to reaffirm the Liberal Party’s staunch support for Ukraine, and firm stance against Russian military aggression.”

Joined at the roundtable by Liberal MPs Chrystia Freeland, Ralph Goodale, and Mark Eyking, as well as Liberal MPP Yvan Baker and Liberal candidate for Etobicoke Centre, Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Mr. Trudeau reiterated Liberal calls for immediate action in the following areas:

• For Russia to release Ukrainian soldier, Nadiya Savchenko;

• For the Conservative government to add Igor Sechin and Vladimir Yakunin to the list of sanctioned Russians;

• For the Conservative government to work with our allies on the feasibility of cutting off certain Russian banks from the SWIFT network; and

• For Western governments and multilateral institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, to strongly support Ukraine as it undertakes essential economic reforms.

“Liberals believe that Canada has a vital role to play in helping to bring an end to this conflict, including supporting the essential institutions of democracy that will place the country on a solid footing,” said Mr. Trudeau. “We will continue to consult and work with Ukrainian-Canadians to push for more effective federal government action to restore peace and security in Ukraine.”