Foreign Affairs Committee on May 2nd, 2022

[Yuliia Kovaliv]

We thank you for the question, and it's also important. We are now working on the big rebuilding plan. The key concept of this plan, which was presented in the Ukrainian parliament today, was the main pillars of that, and we are now working on a deeper understanding of the needs. Unfortunately as the war unfolds, the damages caused by Russian war increase each day, but there are a few significant things. First, we are now working on and also we appreciate the leadership of the Canadian government in the creation of joint united allies' support of that fund.

The second thing is the seizure of Russian assets not only in Canada but globally. And here, we will appreciate the adoption of the laws and the instruments that will make Russia pay the bill.

The third is the support from the budget of Canada and other countries to donate to this fund.

Fourth is the instruments that will include Canadian businesses participating in the rebuilding of Ukraine. There will be a huge need for infrastructure, building, construction and energy—enormous sectors. We are now seeing that Canadian businesses are keen on looking at the instruments whereby they can participate in the further building of Ukraine.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sven Spengemann]

Thank you so much.

Mr. Chong, go ahead, please, for four minutes.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Ambassador-designate Kovaliv, thank you for coming to our committee.

I'd like to know what the Ukrainian military's objective is in this war. Is it to push Russia back to the pre-February 24 border or is it to push Russia back to the pre-2014 border, or is it some other objective?

[Yuliia Kovaliv]

It is the restoration of Ukrainian sovereign territories.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Do you mean those from pre-2014?

[Yuliia Kovaliv]

It is the Ukrainian sovereign territories.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

So that's pre-2014. Thank you for the answer to that question.

I have a second question related to energy. You mentioned in your opening remarks how vital it was to get Europe off Russian natural gas. According to Reuters, every day since the beginning of this year, European democracies have transferred anywhere from 200 million to 800 million euros to Russia as payment for natural gas. This is up to over $1 billion Canadian a day to fund the Russian war machine. How important is it to Ukraine that countries like Canada, the fifth-largest natural gas producer in the world, step up to the plate to displace Russian gas in western Europe?

[Yuliia Kovaliv]

Since 2014, Ukraine has made efforts, and we are not relying on a supply of Russian gas. It was very painful, but we succeeded in this. And it's very painful now in the European Union and we as Ukraine support the efforts that will help European countries that still rely significantly on Russian oil and gas to cut those ties and to cut the flow of money for oil and gas to Russia, because this money is mostly financing the military and the war in Ukraine. In terms of this support, I mentioned that there are two ways—the support of renewables and the support of fossil fuels by the European countries that are suffering the most. That is crucial for the joint energy security of the European continent.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Does the Ukrainian government consider this a high priority?

[Yuliia Kovaliv]

The Ukrainian government advocates for a total ban of Russian oil and gas supplied to Europe. That's essential for us to avoid feeding, more and more, the Russian economy.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

As you know, the Canadian government allocated $500 million, in the most recent budget, for military equipment for Ukraine. What equipment do you need right now?

[Yuliia Kovaliv]

We need heavy weapons. The list of weapons is quite wide. Some of them were already shipped and delivered to Ukraine. Some of them are in progress. We worked 24-7 with GAC and DND to make it happen more quickly, more extensively. They answered the demands from Ukraine, which are actually being articulated on a weekly basis. Since the situation in Ukraine changes, the demand changes. There is also already an established coordination among our allies, about 40 countries that made a decision to coordinate their efforts to Ukraine on the transfer.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Thank you.

Ambassador, I'll just finish by quickly saying we appreciate your invitation for this committee to travel to Ukraine. We are actively considering it. We believe it's important that we show solidarity with the people of Ukraine through the legislative-to-legislative branches of our systems. We appreciate that invitation.

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sven Spengemann]

Our final intervention this afternoon goes to Madame Bendayan.

You have the floor for four minutes.

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

As my colleague Mr. Oliphant was saying, this is not a partisan issue for us. I think that we would all like to be on the ground in Ukraine.

Ambassador, could you tell us a little more about the importance, not only of humanitarian aid, but also weapons and ammunition? In very concrete terms, do you need more weapons in Ukraine right now? What has the international community's response been? You said that you're expecting several shipments.

[Yuliia Kovaliv]

Yes, we need military aid now, and even for yesterday. We do expect that the next few weeks will be very important in terms of defending our territory. We urge military support within the next days and weeks.

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Thank you.

As part of the international community, what can we do to help women and victims of sexual violence? Is there something Canada can do to help them, Ambassador?

[Yuliia Kovaliv]

There are three important things. The first is documenting and bringing Russia to justice for all these war crimes.

The second is the support programs for women who were victims of sexual crimes. The Ukrainian government is now in the process of developing such programs. We will hear, with Parliament members and also the government, the ideas we are working on and the proposals to join the efforts to work together.

The third thing that's important is also to be vocal globally on sexual crimes being a part of war crimes and being one of the instruments of the Russian war. It is also important that the world knows it, and the world stands with Ukraine against Russia on it.

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Can you tell us about any developments at the United Nations and other international organizations?

We know, of course, what Ukraine's position is, but as a diplomat yourself, are you aware of any ways that Russia's power and influence within these organizations can be weakened in the short or medium term?

[Yuliia Kovaliv]

We are working on that, with the support and leadership of Canada, which was helping us to expel Russia from international organizations. There were a variety, a range of them.

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

I understand that Ambassador Rae has been playing a leading role at the United Nations. Is that the case?

[Yuliia Kovaliv]

Yes.

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Thank you very much, Your Excellency. Thank you once again for your appearance today at our foreign affairs committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sven Spengemann]

Thank you very much, Ms. Bendayan.

On the collective behalf of colleagues, I say a very warm “thank you” to our witnesses for this panel. Ambassador-designate Kovaliv and Chargé d'affaires Bukvych, thank you very much for your testimony. We look forward to working with you.

Colleagues, with that, we stand adjourned until our next session.