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November 2014
CANADA UKRAINE PLAN for ACTION

1/ Canada needs to use suasion to convince the United States of America that its global leadership demands a stronger stance against Russia. President Putin is emboldened by President Obama’s reluctance to deal militarily with Russia’s terror in Ukraine.

2/ Canada needs to declare Russia as a terrorist export state like ISIS, Syria and Iran and convince the US to do likewise as well as gain support from other likeminded friends in particular Australia, Poland, Sweden and the Baltic States.

3/ Canada needs to act and urge others to take advantage of NATO’s decision to allow individual members to send military aid to Ukraine.

4/ Under no circumstances can Russia be allowed to weasel its way into undermining the international communities’ position concerning the illegal annexation of Crimea or become a negotiator for the occupied Luhansk and Donetsk territories. As Russia claims that it plays no part in the aggression it, therefore, has no business in playing a part in its resolution.

1/ Canada must urge democracies to increase punitive sanctions against Russia as it continues to violate cease-fire agreements and fails to adhere to its international commitments.

2/ Canada and others must harmonize sanctions to shore up loopholes and shame those who abuse them. Serving as image or financial consultants to corrupted criminals of Ukraine’s previous presidency is tantamount to collaborating with terrorists -- and calls for sanctions. The removal of two Russian banks from Canada’s sanction lists needs to be reversed.

3/ Canada needs to curtail exchanges with Russia -- political, government, sport, academic, cultural -- in favour of increased exchanges with Ukraine, and persuade other governments to do likewise. Events, like the pro-Putin concert in London, with Queen Elizabeth invited, need to be exposed for what they are: pro-terrorist rallies. They demonstrate to Putin Europe’s lack of resolve in opposing Russia’s unlawful behaviour and thereby weakens the censure that sanctions are intended to convey.

4/ Canada must convince other G-20 members, in particular Australia the host country, to disinvite Mr. Putin out of respect for the Australians murdered in the dawning of the Malaysian airplane by Russian-led terrorists using Russian equipment. Canada, too, had an innocent victim. Doing less pays homage to and encourages the predator. It gives credence to his lies and propaganda.

1/ Helping Ukraine eliminate parliamentary immunity that allows criminals posing as legislators to escape prosecution;

2/ Establishing a Help Ukraine Taskforce comprising senior public servants to assist Ukraine in establishing itself as the new democratic frontier supported by Canada’s expertise and best practices including the military/private sector oversight; judicial, fiscal, tax reforms; and reorganization of the public sector;

3/ Working with Ukraine’s government and grass roots entities, particularly supporting newly formed civic organizations (as opposed to traditional members of the ‘NGO-cracy’) devoted to fighting corruption and implementing reforms in order to build institutional relationships and strengthen Ukraine’s capacity;

4/ Increasing exchanges with Ukraine by substituting Russia's attendees with those from Ukraine;

5/ Learning from Ukraine about the danger of losing national independence by passing ownership of Canada’s strategic industries -- energy, agriculture, natural resources -- to Russia. Paying attention to Canada’s Arctic. Balancing Russia’s propaganda on Canadians by adequately presenting the reality;

6/ Providing Ukraine with adequate human and financial support to reflect commitment to Canada’s values and thus expedite its European integration which it has chosen over that with Russia.