I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 78 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to the Standing Orders; therefore, members are attending in person in the room as well as remotely by using the Zoom application.
I'd like to make a few comments for the benefit of members and our witness.
Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name. For those who are participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mike, and please mute yourselves when you are not speaking.
You may speak in the official language of your choice. Although this room is equipped with a powerful audio system, feedback events can occur. These can be extremely harmful to interpreters and cause serious injuries. I would remind all the members that the most common cause of sound feedback is an earpiece worn too close to a microphone.
This is a reminder that all comments should be directed through the chair.
With regard to a speaking list, the committee clerk and I will do the best we can to maintain a consolidated order of speaking for all members, whether they are participating virtually or in person.
In accordance with the committee's routine motion concerning connection tests for witnesses, I am informing the committee members that all witnesses appearing virtually have completed the required connection tests in advance of our meeting.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motions adopted by the committee on Monday, January 31, 2022, and Tuesday, May 30, 2023, the committee resumes its study of the situation at the Russia-Ukraine border and implications for peace and security.
I would now like to welcome our witness. We have before us Dr. Geoffrey Wood, who is a professor at Western University.
Thank you very much for appearing before us, Dr. Wood; we're very grateful. You will be provided five minutes for your opening remarks, after which we will proceed to take questions from the members.