Latest news with #UkrainianCanadians
Global News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Trump-Putin summit watched with ‘curiosity,' hope by Ukrainians in Canada
U.S. President Donald Trump's pivotal meeting Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin is being watched with cautious optimism by Ukrainian Canadians, who are hopeful that Ukraine's interests and rights will be upheld in the push to end the war. Canada is home to the second-largest Ukrainian diaspora in the world, which grew larger after the country accepted Ukrainians fleeing Russia's full-scale invasion. While they distrust Putin's willingness to negotiate a ceasefire or give up his territorial ambitions, community leaders say they appreciate Canada's role in ensuring Ukraine has a seat at the table. 'We're watching this with curiosity,' said Ihor Michalchyshyn, CEO and executive director of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. 'I think we're going to find out, is President Trump there to be an ally of Russia or an ally of Ukraine, or some third option?' Story continues below advertisement Trump has lowered expectations for what could emerge from the summit, saying Thursday he wants to 'set the table' for a second meeting between himself, Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 1:00 'We'll see if they can get along,' Trump says ahead of Putin-Zelenskyy meeting Those comments came after European leaders, along with Prime Minister Mark Carney, stood united in voicing 'shared principles, including that decisions on the future of Ukraine must be made by Ukrainians' in a virtual meeting Wednesday that included Zelenskyy and U.S. Vice-President JD Vance. Trump briefed Zelenskyy, Carney and European leaders on the upcoming summit with Putin in a call on Wednesday, and has promised to brief them again following the meeting. 'We feel that with Europe, with Canada, with Ukraine kind of speaking with one voice to the American president, he is listening,' Michalchyshyn said. Story continues below advertisement 'We hope that this will be what he takes into the meeting with the Russians, but you never know … what Putin will do in a room with Trump.' Canada has been one of the most vocal defenders of Ukraine since Russia first invaded and annexed Crimea in 2014, and particularly after Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. 2:00 Ukraine must be involved in peace deal, EU leaders warn That support has continued since Carney became prime minister earlier this year. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy He hosted Zelenskyy at this summer's G7 summit in Alberta, where Carney announced a new military aid package worth over $2 billion — pulled from previously-announced funding — as well as the first tranche of money backed by frozen Russian assets that will go toward rebuilding Ukraine following the war. Carney affirmed in calls with Zelenskyy and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer this week that Canada welcomes Trump's leadership in seeking an end to the war, but that Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be protected. Story continues below advertisement Canadians see 'parallel' between Ukraine, 51st state threats Support for Ukraine has also come from Canadians themselves through humanitarian aid donations. The Canada-Ukraine Foundation, which focuses on getting that aid delivered to Ukraine and other humanitarian efforts, says it has sent over $95 million to the country since 2022. Valeriy Kostyuk, the group's executive director, said there have been noticeable upticks in support and donations so far this year — particularly after Trump and Zelenskyy's disastrous meeting in the Oval Office in February, but also following Trump's threats to make Canada the 51st U.S. state. 'It's a parallel,' he told Global News of the threats to Canada's sovereignty. 'I think that experience allowed Canadians to relate a little bit more to the issues that started in 2014 (for Ukraine).' Story continues below advertisement 2:09 Zelenskyy rejects territorial concessions as Trump and Putin plan Alaska summit Kostyuk said the CUF and other Canadian charities have helped fill some of the humanitarian funding gaps in Ukraine left by the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) earlier this year. The CUF's latest mission has been to try reuniting Ukrainian children forcibly removed by Russian forces with their families — an issue the Canadian government has been co-leading international efforts to resolve. Over 19,000 Ukrainian children have been relocated to Russia, with many adopted by Russian families or held in 'summer camps.' Researchers and advocates say the goal is to erase the children's Ukrainian identity and prepare them for military conscription when they become adults. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau last year accused Russia of committing an 'element of genocide.' Story continues below advertisement That Russian effort is symbolic of the need to stand up forcibly against Putin in negotiations, Kostyuk said. 2:49 Trump warns 'severe consequences' if Putin doesn't end war in Ukraine Russia currently controls around a fifth of Ukraine's territory, and Zelenskyy and the Europeans worry that a deal set by Trump and Putin could cement those gains. Trump has acknowledged the possibility of 'land-swapping' under a future deal, but has also promised to get some territory back for Ukraine. Michalchyshyn said the focus for himself and the Ukrainian community is to ensure the prospect of giving up occupied territory doesn't become a reality. 'Holding firm to the fact that Ukraine's territorial integrity and decision-making processes are its own, and not being ceded to someone else or negotiated away — that there are key lines to hold to — that's what we're seeing is the most essential role of European and Canadian leadership at this point,' he said. Story continues below advertisement Zelenskyy has criticized any talk of Ukraine ceding any territory to Russia, noting Ukraine's territorial borders are enshrined in its constitution and would require a referendum to alter. Trump said Monday he's 'a little bit bothered' by that. Kostyuk said there are historical parallels to what could emerge out of Friday's U.S.-Russia summit. 'Quite often we compare the crossroad at which Trump currently is to Chamberlain's approach of appeasing and dealing with Hitler,' he said, referring to the 1938 Munich Agreement that ceded the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia to Germany. Historians have criticized that deal for setting the stage for Hitler's further incursions into Europe, and ultimately the Second World War. 'The sentiment from within the (Ukrainian Canadian) community has been consistent: that appeasement of the aggressor at the cost of the victim, which is Ukraine, is not going to bring a sustainable and just peace,' said Kostyuk. 'Supporting justice has been something that the community has been calling for.'
Calgary Herald
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
While Ukrainian-Canadians celebrate Zelenskyy's invitation to Calgary, some Indo-Canadians protest Modi's arrival
The arrival of leaders of several countries is eliciting heartfelt — and contrasting — receptions from their respective diasporas across Calgary. Article content Dozens of Ukrainian Canadians gathered at Calgary City Hall on Saturday with the country's flag draped around their shoulders, demanding more resources for the Eastern European country in its efforts to stave off the Russian threat, and expressing support for the nation's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, days before he arrived in Calgary. Article content Article content Article content The Russian invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago has triggered countless demonstrations across Calgary calling for support for the embattled nation. For the first time, the man behind Ukraine's resistance was going to be in their city. People sang the Ukrainian anthem. Speakers came on stage and stressed the importance of helping Ukraine. Article content Article content Roman Yosyfiv, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress' Calgary chapter, said Zelenskyy's presence will be momentous for Ukrainians in the city. 'Ukrainians in Calgary appreciate what Canada and Canadians have done for Ukraine already, and to host President Zelenskyy in Canada, it's a significant milestone for Ukraine.' Article content U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday evening that he would leave the summit early due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. As a result, Zelenskyy will not be able to meet with the U.S. president. Article content Article content Yosyfiv said he believes Zelenskyy is the best president the country has had. 'He could have escaped Ukraine on the first day of the war, but he stayed with his nation,' he said, arguing that his modest, non-political background will allow his legacy to be etched in the history books. Article content Article content 'He is one of those who are fighting for not just Ukraine, but for democracy and security in other parts of the world.' Article content He added that about 10 people from across Canada, including the local group, will have an audience with Zelenskyy for up to an hour in an undisclosed location in Calgary on Tuesday. He said he isn't privy to the details of the meeting. 'They sent me an email saying (the timing and location) are going to be announced an hour before the meeting itself,' he said.
Hamilton Spectator
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
‘A garment packed with symbolism' holds increasing significance
The symbolism behind a humble and colourful piece of clothing grows more poignant as Putin's deadly invasion of Ukraine continues. Central to the country's culture and history, vyshyvanka 'serves as a powerful reminder of Ukrainian identity,' said MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk as the spring sitting of Alberta's legislature wound down this month. The UCP's parliamentary secretary for settlement services and Ukrainian evacuees, Armstrong-Homeniuk represents Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville. The riding east of Edmonton is often associated with Ukraine culture and immigration. Each Vyshyvanka Day, held this year on May 15, Ukrainians and others of Ukrainian descent from around the world dress in 'a garment packed with symbolism,' she said. Patterns and colours vary by region of origin, and vyshyvanka designs are often passed down from generation to generation. 'This means each one has its own beauty, but they all share a common trait. They are a proud statement of community, unity and heritage.' In 1891 waves of immigration to Canada from Ukraine began. Statistics Canada put the number of Ukrainian Canadians in 2021 at about 1.3 million people or nearly four per cent of the population. Today about 400,000 people in Alberta alone are either from Ukraine or, like Armstrong-Homeniuk, have Ukrainian ancestry. In February 2022, Russia continued its history of aggression and expansionism against Ukraine with an all-out invasion. The war's death toll has likely passed one million people. Although Ukraine is not yet a member of NATO, the treaty organization 'condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia's unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine — which is an independent, peaceful and democratic country, and a close NATO partner.' NATO and its allies are supporting Ukraine and 'helping to uphold its fundamental right to self-defence,' the organization says on its website. Armstrong-Homeniuk also spoke of a recent fire that destroyed parts of the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, 50 km east of Edmonton. 'Those buildings contain irreplaceable artifacts that told the stories of generations of Ukrainian Canadians, but with us, the descendants, those stories remain,' said Armstrong-Homeniuk. 'As long as we gather to remember our heritage through celebrations like Vyshyvanka Day, our heritage cannot be destroyed. Not by wildfire, not by war.'
Toronto Star
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
‘It's not right': Merch associated with Russian mercenary group listed for sale on Walmart Canada Marketplace website
Ukrainian Canadians are frustrated after finding merch items with the logo of a Russian-affiliated private military group up for sale on the Walmart Canada Marketplace website. Iryna Chabanenko, a Ukrainian immigrant living in Winnipeg, came across the listings for a Wagner Group-branded flag and t-shirt from a post in a Facebook group for Ukrainian Canadians in that city. Many in the comments under the post were complaining about the fact these items were up for sale on a website associated with a major Canadian retailer, Chabanenko recounted to the Star.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands rally across Europe, Canada ahead of 3rd anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion
Thousands of people rallied in support of Ukraine on Feb. 23 ahead of the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion which began on Feb. 24, 2022. Rallies were held across Europe on Sunday, with thousands of demonstrators lining the streets of Prague, Paris, and Brussels. Czech President Petr Pavel addressed rally-goers in Prague, emphasizing his country's support for Ukraine. "From what happened, I think it is quite clear who is the aggressor, who violated international law, and who is the victim, whose side we should stand on," Pavel said. "And if we allow (international law) to be compromised, if we reward the aggressor, then sooner or later it will affect us too." Thousands also took to the streets of Brussels' and Paris' city center to mark the third anniversary. In Paris, participants unfurled a 262-meter flag in an effort to mark solidarity with Ukrainians. Amid the start of the fourth year to Russia's full-scale war, European allies have grown increasingly concerned over Kyiv's role in upcoming peace talks between Russia and the United States to end the war. European leaders have scrambled to deliver military support to Ukraine as the U.S., under the Trump administration, races to make a deal with Moscow. Trump has said he wants Europe to play a greater role in supporting Ukraine's financial and defense needs, but his administration has sent mixed signals as to whether Europeans are welcome in the negotiations process. Thousands of Ukrainian Canadians also attended a protest against Russian aggression in Toronto, Canada, in a rally attended by the Kyiv Independent. Chrystia Freeland, Canada's former Finance Minister, who is running to replace outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, attended the rally and touted the country's support for Ukraine. "In this fight, we are on the side of democracy versus dictatorship," Freeland, who is of Ukrainian descent, said during the rally. "We are on the side of rule and order, and not bullies." Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on Feb. 18 that is interested in partaking in conversations about security guarantees for Ukraine. Read also: EU preparing military aid package for Kyiv worth $20.9 billion, Bloomberg reportsWe've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
