I still have my voice left, a little bit.
Thank you for the invitation. I apologize for not being there in person today.
The last time Orest and I were there was in April, some eight months ago. At that time, we had just finished marking the first anniversary of Russia's full-scale genocidal war against Ukraine. Today we are appearing as a second year of war is ending. We will soon be beginning our third.
As the winter approaches, Ukrainian cities and towns are once again facing sustained Russian rocket, missile and air attacks. As we heard from the ambassador, the goal is to knock out Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, power stations and electricity, to freeze and starve Ukrainian people. Unable to conquer Ukraine, Russia will keep trying to make Ukraine unlivable.
In what will be another difficult winter for the Ukrainian people, it's alarming to see reductions in aid to Ukraine. For example, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy reported last week that the global dynamics of support to Ukraine have been slowing. Newly committed aid reached a new low between August and October 2023. This is the lowest level of aid since January 2022, before Russian launched a full-scale invasion.
Of course, I'm sure we're all watching the dramatic developments taking place today in Washington, south of the border, as President Zelenskyy visits with President Biden and the Congress at a time of increased volatility and key questions on the future of American commitment to aiding Ukraine's defence. As Olena Zelenska, the first lady of Ukraine, said just a few days ago, “We really need the help...we cannot get tired of this situation, because if we do, we die.”
Our message to this committee and to all Canadians is this. Do not get tired. We must all guard against the normalization of Russia's war and the normalization of the daily horrors and atrocities that Russia inflicts upon Ukraine and its people.
Your colleagues at the foreign affairs committee recently heard from children rescued from Russian captivity by Ukrainian non-governmental organizations. These stories are excruciating, and their experience is harrowing, but the experience of Ukrainian children tells us that more must be done to increase aid to Ukraine. This will not be happening through negotiations or peace. The result would be the murder of more Ukrainians and further destruction of Ukraine.
I will turn it over to my colleague to complete our remarks.