July 11, 2023. OTTAWA, ON. Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, issued the following statement:
Ukraine is courageously defending its sovereignty and independence from genocidal Russian aggression. In doing so, it is also defending democracy and freedom in Europe. The Ukrainian people have paid an extraordinarily high price in blood and treasure defending European freedom and the values that all members of the NATO alliance share.
The vague and nebulous language in the Leaders’ Communique that “We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when Allies agree and conditions are met” is in essence, no different than the agreement at the Bucharest Summit in 2008 that “Ukraine will become a member of NATO.” Fifteen years later, the Ukrainian people are still waiting. This equivocation by NATO is a green light for Putin to continue his war on democracy.
Ukraine deserves an invitation to join NATO today. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress urges Prime Minister Trudeau and all NATO leaders to state clearly when and how Ukraine will become a NATO member.
