Thank you very much.
Your Excellency, welcome. We very much appreciate your attendance here, and congratulations on your appointment. You're most welcome here, of course.
Throughout this discussion, I think there's been, quite appropriately, a lot of focus on the military situation in Ukraine. We're watching, with some concern, Russia's activity in the Pokrovsk region right now. As well, there's a focus on the missing children, which is an important and necessary focus.
If I may, I'd like to build on Ms. Kronis's comments about what's next for Ukraine. We are watching the American efforts at some diplomatic intervention. Occasionally, we are optimistic, and then I think we all suffer a bit of frustration with the pace and with Mr. Putin's inability or unwillingness to participate.
However, I'm thinking about other ways that I believe Canada could contribute to the support of Ukraine. We talk about military support, and I agree. We talk about some of the liquidity supports and the economic supports that Canada has provided. We think they're important.
By the way, let me take the opportunity to assure you that support for Ukraine is not a partisan issue in this country. It is my very strong belief that all parties support Ukraine's valiant struggle against Russian aggression, and we want the best for the Ukrainian people.
That's where my question goes. How do we continue to support Ukraine? I know there's been an application to join the European Union since 2022. There's a lot of work that needs to be done there, including a number of economic and civil reforms in Ukraine.
There has also been some discussion—a little on the back burner right now—about Ukraine joining NATO, but historically, I think Canada has a role and could be of some help to Ukraine. What more can we do to support Ukraine?
Then, I want to follow up on that question. I believe there are some economic opportunities for greater collaboration in trade, and in our work among our military industries in particular, because there's a great deal of money about to be invested there. Ukraine's excellence and expertise in that area also provide great opportunities for us to build on in our relationship together.
I'm going back to a “what's next” story. That's where I'd like to pursue your perspective on things that Canada can do to help Ukraine.