Remarks of Mr.Marko Shevchenko, Charge d’Affaires of Ukraine to Canada a.i. during the briefing on the current security situation in Ukraine with Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence and General Thomas Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff
14 April 2015 21:47
"Ukrainians have an expression:
“A friend in need is a friend in deed”.
Canada is a true friend of Ukraine from the very beginning.
A year ago the Prime Minister of Canada Mr. Stephen Harper was the first foreign leader who visited Ukraine after the Revolution of Dignity.
Canada’s commitments to support democratic and European choice made by Ukrainians as well as your statement that Canada will never recognize illegal annexation of Crimea are highly appreciated in my country.
Unfortunately, Putin’ regime prefers to talk with a gun in the hand, so Ukraine today is facing the biggest threat in its modern history.
1,2 mln. of Ukrainians have been displaced, more than 6000 persons have died since Russia fueled the war in the East of Ukraine including children, civilians and innocent passengers of MH17.
Although in the last month the situation has slightly improved, the ceasefire in the area affected by war is still very fragile.
Almost every day Ukrainian soldiers and civilians continue to die.
That is why reaffirming of Canadian commitment to strengthen Ukrainian security and provide a non-lethal assistance is so important for us.
Canada’s previously offered generous support and a new initiative announced today will considerably increase our capacity to resist Putin’s agression and, finally, save the lives of many Ukrainians.
On behalf of the Government of Ukraine I would like to extend our deep gratitude to the Government of Canada, all Canadians and personally to you, Mr. Prime Minister,
for your staunch support of Ukraine and its efforts to defend own sovereignty as well as democratic and European future.
Thank you very much indeed."
