As I was saying, the economic context here is that there are numerous corporations around the world that have tentatively, and at different levels, suspended their economic relationships with Russia. That needs to continue over the course of the next couple of months. They're looking for continued leadership in the long term. The point I'm trying to raise, which is relevant to the amendment, is ensuring that this committee continues to put a focus on an issue and a topic that is important to many Canadians, that is, the illegal, horrific, unfair invasion of by Vladimir Putin and his regime.
It's important to go back to the economic aspect of this. There are billions of dollars left up in the air that I believe need to permanently leave, as we saw in the news article today. The article does reference numerous other corporations that are waiting to see not only what the short-term aspect has been, but what the medium-term and long-term aspect has been.
I think from the committee's perspective, when we go back and look at the larger aspect and mandate here, the geopolitics of the region have implications for the two countries right now, and we're all aware of the ripple effect of not confronting this issue with the emphasis that we've seen. We've seen a solid response from the international community, but the committee's work needs to continue on this aspect because it's not just Ukraine that is in Russia's sights. You can look at Poland, you can look at the Baltic states and you can look at the news.
The relevant news, which I believe the committee would be interested in as an evolving topic, was the announcement this weekend from Finland and Sweden of their request to urgently join NATO and become partners there. We're seeing a snowball effect moving here, and there have been conversations, doubt and perhaps a lack of political will from different factors for several years about those two specific countries joining NATO. I've been following that with interest and making sure that is timely and that the information is there. As we talk about the importance of the amendment to have the committee focus on concluding its work on the topic of Ukraine, I think what happened this past weekend has provided relevance to the committee and relevance to the importance of focusing on and hearing from witnesses on the subject of Ukraine.
There are other countries around the world, unfortunately, with perhaps similar negative intentions. They are watching to see how the international community responds or, in many cases, does not respond to the challenges and horrible actions we're seeing by Russia. I think of China. We've talked—and I believe will again later this week—about its relationship with Taiwan and the connections there.
Maybe not every Canadian is watching the House of Commons committee on foreign affairs, but I know there are a lot of like-minded countries around the world that are not seeking to reopen the abortion debate and are not looking to create division. We see that. I say this because there have been numerous attempts by members to implement and institute several different aspects of that here by trying to raise these types of motions at a wide variety of committees and cause a change in the direction of all this.
I believe it's incumbent on this committee.... I appreciate that, yes, I'm not a regular member, but having been here for several hours today listening to discussions from members of all parties, I wanted to make sure that I was on record for the amendment and its emphasis and focus. I am bringing the views of my constituents and I believe of millions of Canada. If they had the opportunity to understand what this committee should be tackling and discussing, it would be concluding the meetings, testimony, recommendations and next steps on how Canada can improve its response to the very real challenges facing the brave and wonderful people of Ukraine.
With that, I believe my colleague Mr. Chong is next, but I appreciate taking a few minutes while here at committee today, which has turned into tonight, to get on the record. I believe it's very important that the amendment be considered, as this issue has relevance and should be the focus of the committee as the work of the committee continues in the last five or six sitting weeks we have here in Ottawa.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.