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CG4DU | 09May2017 | Oksana Bashuk Hepburn
Canadian Group for Democracy in Ukraine
[email protected]
http://cg4du.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cg4du/
44 Belvedere Cres.
Ottawa ON K1M 2G4

Canada at NATO Summit in Brussels on 24/25 May 2017

Right Honourable Justin Trudeau
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2

[email protected] and via Canada Post

Dear Prime Minister,

We are very pleased that Canada is providing military support to Ukraine with the critically important UNIFIER. Thank you for its continuation.

The purpose of this letter is to seek further support for Ukraine at the upcoming NATO Summit. For over three years, Ukraine has been the finger in the dike holding back Russia’s attack on national sovereignty and thereby threatening the world order. Despite diplomatic efforts designed to prod Russia out of Crimea and Donbas, there is no compliance.

Indeed, “talks” concerning Russia’s war in Ukraine are emboldening it elsewhere too: Aleppo has been reduced to rubble; chemical warfare produces more terror. Meanwhile in the Donbas it kills one to three Ukrainian soldiers every day. That’s some one thousand deaths by year’s end; over ten thousand since it invaded in 2014. In the interest of advancing its “great Russia” image worldwide, it lies, covers up, creates fake news, undermines elections, and spews hateful propaganda despite current sanctions.

Since Russia boasts immunity to sanctions it is indispensible to strike harder at its political elite. The West must harmonize the application of existing sanctions against politically engaged persons such as Vladimir Yakunin, missing from Canada’s list. More importantly, list President Vladimir Putin and remove Russia from SWIFT. Militarily, provide Ukraine with defence weapons, satellite imagery and more pushback. But given Russia’s respect for force, even this may not be enough.

Although NATO members would prefer “normalized” relations, Russia’s systematic failure to adhere to international law and agreements must not be allowed to stand. Western appeasement is not an option. There must be no green light for Kremlin’s further advances. NATO is a crucial component in checking Russia’s aggression.

Therefore, Prime Minister, we ask Canada to take a leadership role at the Summit. We would strongly support a resolution requiring Russia to remove itself from Ukraine by a firm date or Ukraine will be invited to join NATO.

Russia will not listen to less. Undoubtedly, it will bluster, protest and threaten. However, it is still not strong enough to ignore NATO’s formidable force. It will comply.

Too much time has already been lost; tomorrow may be too late. Now is the time for Canada to offer a bold step forward to stem Russia’s global designs by a strong pushback in Ukraine. Canada can lead with clarity of purpose; adhering to what is right. This has been and must continue to be Canada’s strength and global contribution.

Prime Minister, we ask for serious consideration of our proposal and thank you in advance for bringing it forward at the NATO Summit.

Warmest regards,

Oksana Bashuk Hepburn
Dr. Ihor Cap
Dr. Roman Jakubow
Vicki Karpiak
Hon David Kilgour
Steve Komarnyckyj
Mary Komarynsky
Myroslava Oleksiuk
Marta Onufriv
Oksana Shmigelsky
Libid Zyla Harder

cc.
Hon. Harjit Singh Sajjan, MP
Hon. Chrystia Freeland, MP
Hon. Rona Ambrose, MP
Hon. Thomas Mulcair, MP
Hon. Ralph Goodale, MP
Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould, MP
Hon. MaryAnn Mihychuk, MP
Hon. Robert Nault
Hon. Tony Clement
Hon. Peter Kent
Borys Wrzesnewskyj, MP
Senator Raynell Andreychuk
James Bezan, MP
Terry Duguid, M.P
Linda Duncan, M.P.
Julie Dzerowicz, M.P.
James Maloney, M.P.
Arif Virani, M.P
Pierre Paul-Hus
Dean Allison, MP
Helene Laverdiere, MP
Ambassador Roman Waschuk
Ambassador Andriy Shevchenko
James Temerty, C.M.
Paul Grod, President UCC
Eugene Czolij, President UWC
Ihor Michalchyshyn, Executive Director/CEO UCC
Zenon Poticzny, President CUCC