(Ottawa) “We are engaged in a real war for our independence, and we are paying a very real price. Today, Ukraine pays dearly to defend its beliefs, that is, the freedom to choose democracy and its future,” the Ukrainian president declared before the Canadian parliament.
Released at 5:00 p.m.
These are not the words of the current leader of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zhelensky, who will address parliament on Tuesday. Instead, they belong to his predecessor, Pedro Poroshenko, who was summoned to the Commons in September 2014, just months after the war in the Donbass annexed Crimea.
“Greetings to thousands of Ukrainian men and women [qui] Under the Ukrainian banner, they bravely sacrificed their lives to defend their right to live in their homeland, with the President promising that “Ukraine has crossed the Rubikan and will never return.” [dans le giron soviétique] “.
Nearly eight years later, Ukrainian forces resist the invaders. On the 20th day of the outbreak of war, as the bombings continued on the ground, their commander Volodymyr Zhelensky continued his diplomatic tour.
Photo by Agency France-Press, Ukraine Presidency
Volodymyr Zhelensky, President of Ukraine
After speaking in the British Parliament – he received a warm applause – the President of Ukraine will present it to the Canadian Parliament. “Canadians are inspired by the courage and regression of the Ukrainians and the leadership of the president, and I know they can not wait to hear it,” Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter last Wednesday.
The two have exchanged several times since the war began and they have maintained a close relationship.
An intimacy that characterizes the relationship between Ukraine and Canada, the second largest Ukrainian immigrant population after Russia is 1.3 million.
This is the third time a Ukrainian president has been invited to address a joint sitting of parliament. Before the current Kremlin’s first opponent were Pedro Poroshenko in 2014 and Viktor Yushchenko in 2008.
A Russian?
Yes: Boris Elstein, 1992.
“Above all, we know the dream of dictatorship. This is why we chose democracy. […] We know better than anyone how to be the enemy of everyone. Therefore, we have chosen transparency and cooperation with the world community, “said Russia’s first president.
What can be expected from Zhelensky?
Putin’s Russia has urged President Zhelensky to slap the UK parliament with additional sanctions, declare him a “terrorist state” and “make Ukraine a safe haven”, according to a transcript of his appeal in front of a room full of elected officials and members. House of Lords.
Photo by Jessica Taylor, British Parliament, Agency France-Press Archives
British parliamentarians listen to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zhelensky (on screen) on March 8.
Kiev’s request to impose a no – fly zone was rejected by NATO countries, including Canada. CTV reported last Thursday that Prime Minister Trudeau had rejected a request made to him by his Ukrainian envoy.
“It breaks the heart,” he said in an interview with the English Network. We can’t do that. The Canadian leader argued that the risk was “very high” if NATO planes shot down Russian planes were sent into Ukraine.
Political scientist Justin Massey believes this will not prevent Volodymyr Zhelensky from returning to court on Tuesday.
“That is what I expect, absolutely. Importantly, he is taking this time to gain the support not only of the government but also of the opposition,” he said in an interview.
Zelensky’s strategy is obviously to ask for the maximum and hope to have a little more.
Justin Massey, full professor of political science at UQAM
No party in Ottawa is in favor of imposing a no-fly zone, but they have demands – more weapons, more money or more active refugees in hospitality – said UQAM’s full professor of political science. Messi mentions. Associate Director of the Strategic Analysis Network.
“If I were the government of Trudeau, I would have already prepared some announcements to get a positive response to its demands,” Justin Massey underlines.
The Prime Minister will speak first at the beginning of the session. This will be followed by President Zhelensky, the leaders of the Senate and House, and then the leaders of all opposition parties.
For the leader of Ukraine, next to Ottawa – the virtual – stop is Washington. He was invited to speak with members of the US Congress by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
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