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 reality of the outcome of the Revolution of Dignity, including the deaths of the Heavenly Hundred who were murdered on the Maidan. Former President Viktor Yanukovych and his regime had collapsed and fled to Russia, and no one knew what was going to happen next. The Ukrainian government, still shell shocked by Yanukovych's sudden ouster and advised by Western allies, ordered Ukrainian military personnel stationed in Crimea to stand down. The Kremlin threatened Kyiv with full-scale war if it resisted.”
“Former Conservative Prime Minister Harper clearly declared that 'whether it takes five months or 50 years, we’re not going to drop the subject until Ukrainian territory is returned to Ukrainians.' We will never recognize Crimea as Russian territory. Crimea is Ukraine.”
“Ukrainians have been resilient in the face of Putin's aggression and Russia’s invasion and occupation of Crimea and the Donbas,” expressed MP Bezan. “The Conservative Party of Canada continues to stand with Ukrainians. Ukraine can count on Canada. We are allies, we are friends. We are family.”
