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Canada-Ukraine collaboration
Hon. Harjit Sajjan
Minister of National Defence (Canada)
via Email: [email protected]
Dear Mr. Sajjan:
I was very favourably impressed with your article in the 20 February
2017 issue of the Ukrainian Voice, in which you summarize your recent
activities on behalf of Canada’s armed forces and National Defence. Of
particular interest to me was your brief reference to Canada’s
leadership role in the forthcoming NATO-sponsored mission to Latvia and
your strategy to strengthen Canada’s Naval Forces by energizing our
ship-building industry.
As a Canadian of Ukrainian ethnic origin with friends and relatives in
Ukraine, I am particularly concerned by Russia’s annexation of Crimea
and invasion of the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine initiated in
February 2014. This occupation and conflict with many casualties
continues to this day. Vladimir Putin has threatened a full scale
invasion and is openly trying to destabilize the European Union and
destroy its relationship with NATO, the United States and Canada.
Therefore, I very much appreciate Operation UNIFIER, the joint
Canada-Ukraine military training mission, that has already provided
long-term benefits to both Ukraine and Canada, and fervently hope that
it will be extended throughout 2017 and beyond.
As a citizen of Canada “the True North strong and free”, I am also
concerned about Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic, which has been
threatened by Russia in the past and is almost certain to re-occur with
increased intensity in the future. In my opinion, this requires a
strong Canadian naval presence in the Arctic Ocean -- both military and
commercial, including nuclear-powered icebreakers. I am sure that
Canada’s ship-building industry in Vancouver and Halifax could rise to
the challenge. Furthermore, the recently-signed Canada-Ukraine Free
Trade Agreement (CUFTA) may present an opportunity for fruitful
collaboration with the Mykolaiv Shipyards in Ukraine.
In conclusion, I salute your strong leadership to enhance Canada’s
sovereignty and security; as well as fulfilling our commitment to NATO.
May I wish you every success.
Yours very sincerely,
William Zuzak, Ph.D., P.Eng. (retired); 2017.02.24
CC:
Justin Trudeau -- [email protected]
Rona Ambrose -- [email protected]
Thomas Mulcair -- [email protected]
Elizabeth May -- [email protected]
Real Fortin -- [email protected]
Ukrainian Voice -- [email protected]
Ukrainian News -- [email protected]