Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I want to take this opportunity to condemn in the strongest possible terms the actions of Russia in violating the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and call on Russia to cease all aggression against Ukraine and withdraw all of its troops.
Our thoughts right now, as New Democrats and members of the House of Commons and Canadians, are with the Ukrainian people, who are suffering this invasion of their country, and with all of the people here in Canada and across the world who have friends and loved ones in Ukraine who are worried about their well-being.
I think this also tells us something important about Russia under the leadership of Vladimir Putin. We have to recognize that the war isn't happening just physically. We know that Russia has also been very active in the digital space, in Ukraine and indeed here in Canada, spreading disinformation. Russia's actions in Ukraine are also related to a larger campaign to sow discord in the west. I think that's something we need to bear in mind. We need to be cautious of the influence Russia is having here at home through social media and other avenues where it can spread disinformation to try to keep people distracted while it pursues the very real agenda of territorial expansion in Ukraine.
Thank you for the opportunity to put these thoughts on the record at a very bleak time in the world's history, Mr. Chair.