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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov publicly admitted Russian state involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine on June 30, according to Russian and Ukrainian press reports. Lavrov said in comments in Moscow that he is frequently criticized for “joining the fight in Donbas and Syria,” according to a transcript published on the official website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Russian foreign minister made the statement after being asked about whether Russia was capable of compromising with other nations in its foreign policy...

On 3-4 July 2017 in Bern, Switzerland, Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij held meetings with the Federal Chancellor of Switzerland, Walter Thurnherr, high-ranking government officials, and the Ukrainian community during which he promoted the fundamental values of civilization, and specifically the principles of the territorial integrity of states, and respect for and safeguarding of human rights. During the meetings, the UWC President noted the significance of the non-recognition by Switzerland of the illegal occupation of Crimea and the implementation of restrictive measures to prevent the circumvention of European Union...

On 24-25 May 2017, Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij made a working visit to Washington, U.S.A., where he met with high-ranking government and civil society officials, and addressed the Gala Dinner on the theme, “U.S.-Ukraine: Partners in the Battle for Democracy and Security in Europe”. During his meetings, the UWC President encouraged continued support for Ukraine, particularly the defence of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and the strengthening of targeted economic sanctions against the Russian Federation until it fully complies with the Minsk agreements and de-occupies Crimea. Eugene Czolij also...

On April 13, James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman tabled in the House of Commons, Bill S-226, “Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law).” Bill S-226, was introduced to the Senate of Canada by Senator Raynell Andreychuk and was adopted by the Senate on April 11. “I am proud to table my colleague, Senator Raynell Andreychuk’s Bill S-226, Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law) in the House of Commons. In May 2016, I tabled similar Magnitsky-style legislation Bill C-267,” said MP Bezan. Bill S-226 will make amendments to the Special Economic Measures Act and...

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) draws again attention to the disturbing actions of Russian governing authorities against Ukrainians in the Russian Federation and calls upon the international community, including human rights organizations, to immediately react. Back on 28 October 2015, Russian police raided the Library of Ukrainian Literature in Moscow in search of so‑called “anti-Russian propaganda”, removing specific volumes of Ukrainian literature, and searched the home of its Director, Natalya Sharina, who was detained for questioning and remains imprisoned. That same day, Russian forces raided the...

Two years ago on February 26, Russia invaded Ukraine. On this unfortunate anniversary, Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman James Bezan has issued the following statement. “Exactly two years ago, I was in Ukraine to meet with the transitional Government,” stated MP Bezan. “During this trip, Russian forces in unmarked uniforms, and pro-Russia militia groups stormed government buildings in Crimea, including the parliament and the Supreme Court in Simferopol.” “Ukrainians were struggling with the...

The International Council in Support of Ukraine (ICSU) is pleased to announce that Four-Star General and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Wesley K. Clark (ret), will receive the ICSU's inaugural Pinnacle Award at a Gala Dinner in Toronto on December 7, 2015 at the historic Old Mill Toronto. The International Council in Support of Ukraine established the Pinnacle Award in 2015 to recognize outstanding individuals who have contributed to a positive image of...

A recent order by Russian President V. Putin decreed that all Russian military deaths "in peacetime" are designated a state secret. Forbes reported that the Russian Business Life (Delovaya Zhizn), which reports on markets and finance, published an article, Increases in Pay for Military in 2015, which "reveals what appear to be official figures on the number of Russian soldiers killed or made invalids 'in eastern Ukraine.' Russian censors quickly removed the offending material but not before it had been webcached," Forbes stated. The uncensored Delovaya Zhizn article stated, "the Russian...

Just as force alone cannot impose order internationally, I believe in my core that repression cannot forge the social cohesion for nations to succeed. The history of the last two decades proves that in today’s world, dictatorships are unstable. The strongmen of today become the spark of revolution tomorrow. You can jail your opponents, but you can’t imprison ideas. You can try to control access to information, but you cannot turn a lie into truth. It is not a conspiracy of U.S.-backed NGOs that expose corruption and raise the expectations of people...

Canada, along with other G-7 states, the EU and Ukraine, announced on April 29th an additional financial package for the completion of the Chornobyl shelter, during a pledging conference in London, United Kingdom. Canada pledged €8.75 million (approximately $12 million) toward completion of the project. These contributions will go toward the construction of the New Safe Confinement structure, which is intended to cover the destroyed unit 4 reactor at Chornobyl, the site of the world’s worst nuclear accident. This commitment is a further expression of Canada’s support for a secure and prosperous Ukraine. Canada has been a global leader in supporting the ongoing transition in Ukraine, as it tackles the challenges before...