December 21, 2021. Ottawa, ON. Amid escalating Russian military aggression against Ukraine, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) today met with the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. The UCC briefed Minister Joly on policy recommendations to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine.
“We are thankful to Minister Joly for her strong support of Ukraine in the face of increasing Russian aggression,” said Alexandra Chyczij, UCC National President. “To deter further a Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is vital for Canada and our international allies to stand together and take action now.”
In the past weeks Russian military movements near Ukraine’s borders and on Russian-occupied territory have increased markedly. The Russian regime’s rhetoric has grown ever more belligerent. Canada and our allies continue to raise serious concerns of a possible further Russian invasion of Ukraine. For eight years, Russia has waged war on Ukraine, seeking to destroy Ukrainian statehood and the Ukrainian peoples’ right to choose their own destiny.
The UCC delegation was led by UCC National President Alexandra Chyczij, and included Vice President Ann Szyptur, UCC Quebec Provincial Council President Michael Shwec, UCC CEO Ihor Michalchyshyn and Paul Migus, UCC’s Director of Government Relations. Member of Parliament Yvan Baker (Etobicoke Centre), who is Chair of the Canada Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, also attended the meeting.
The briefing note presented by the UCC to Minister Joly is available below.