Thanks very much, Mr. Chair.
You'll be glad to hear that I'll be well under 10 minutes for my opening remarks.
Mr. Chair, esteemed members of the committee, thank you for inviting me to speak today about the situation in Ukraine.
My remarks will focus on Canada's key diplomatic measures and response to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
From the onset, and in the 950 days since the invasion, Canada has unequivocally condemned Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
We remain firmly committed to the fundamental principles of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters.
Accordingly, Canada will continue to support Ukraine both bilaterally and through international co-operation within the G7, NATO, the OSCE and the United Nations, and in any other forums where we can exercise influence. We remain steadfast in this commitment.
Canada is actively working to implement the 10‑Point Peace Formula developed by the Ukrainian government, a plan that upholds Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the UN charter and international law. Through this initiative, Ukraine has mobilized support from the international community, including emerging and developing economies. All of these efforts seek to provide a framework for a potential peace settlement on Ukraine's terms.
Canada's commitment to this initiative has included co-chairing the Peace Formula's Working Group No. 4 alongside Ukraine and Norway, focusing on the return of prisoners of war, unlawfully detained civilians and deported children. At the Summit on Peace in Ukraine held on June 15 and 16, 2024 in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, the Prime Minister chaired a discussion session on this human aspect of the war and announced that Canada would host a ministerial conference on the issue in Canada at the end of October.
Canada also co-chairs, with Ukraine, the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, which now includes 40 member states. Launched in Kyiv on February 2 of this year, during Minister Joly's most recent visit to Ukraine, the coalition coordinates efforts and co-operation between Ukraine and partner states to address the illegal deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation.
The issue of Ukrainian children who have been illegally deported, forcibly transferred or displaced in other ways is complex and requires greater global attention. Experts agree that thousands of children have been deported to Russia or transferred to temporarily occupied territories.
Canada and Ukraine have signed a number of important bilateral agreements that reflect a growing collaboration, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine. For example, Canada has signed a historic bilateral security co‑operation agreement with Ukraine to establish a strategic security partnership. This agreement builds on the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine and outlines Canada's key long-term security commitments to continue supporting Ukraine in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, protecting its people and pursuing Euro-Atlantic integration.
Another example is the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, which was signed in 2017. An updated version was signed in 2023 and came into force on July 1 of this year. This agreement aims to boost economic trade between the two countries by covering sectors such as agriculture, industrial production and services, while focusing on long-term economic development and rebuilding of Ukraine after the war.
In total, Canada has committed over $19.5 billion in financial, military, humanitarian, development, security, stabilization and immigration assistance in response to Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
Canada's response also includes sanctions. Since 2014, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 3,000 individuals and entities in Russia and Belarus, as well as in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and Moldova, for their complicity in violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of these countries, as well as for gross and systematic human rights abuses.
It is first and foremost up to Ukraine to decide how it defends itself and its people. Canada supports increased co‑operation between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, and Ukraine, through platforms such as the NATO-Ukraine Commission and enhanced NATO assistance measures.
We will continue to advocate for Ukraine's accession to the alliance as soon as conditions permit.
Canada supports the stability, security and sovereignty of Ukraine as it resists Russia's war of aggression. We are committed to contributing to Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
