Mr. Speaker, in December, I had the privilege of addressing an assembly of 500,000 Ukrainians who were protesting the dishonesty and regressive policies of Ukraine's president at Euromaidan in Kiev. To them, I said:
People of Ukraine, you are citizens of a great and independent country with a fantastic future! A future achieved if unfettered by external...influences.
You have many friends around the world who stand together with you. In Ottawa. In Edmonton. And here in Independence Square. We stand with you for what is right, in the face of what is wrong. We support you this day and always, to democratically and peacefully put forth your demands that your true destiny be fulfilled.
We stand with you for freedom in economic and civil trade engagement. Not just with the East. Not just with the West. But with the world as truly a nation of the world.
Slava Ukraine! Beware of the marauding bear!