Canada’s Parliament Hill protesters reportedly called on Canada on Sunday to “be brave like Ukraine” and uphold economic sanctions against Russia, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the move “absolutely unacceptable” in a written and video address last week.
Contrary to Canada previously defending the decision that its German ally relies on the natural gas supply from the pipeline, Canada’s controversial decision earlier this month of exempting sanctions against Russia and send back to Germany Siemens Energy turbines has angered Canadians and the Ukrainian government as well.
Zelenskyy told Trudeau in a phone call, that he should uphold sanctions against Russia at a time when relations between Canada and Ukraine are strained by Canada’s decision to send parts of a Russian natural gas pipeline back to Germany.
Recapping their conversation in a short statement shared on Twitter, Zelenskyy thanked Trudeau for the continued powerful defense support his country has received but also raised the importance of upholding the sanctions.
“After the terrorist attacks in Vinnytsia, Mykolaiv, Chasiv Yar, etc. the pressure must be increased, not decreased,” he said.
According to an official account of the discussion from the Prime Minister’s Office, Trudeau reiterated Canada’s support for Ukraine against Russia’s military aggression.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress along with the ambassadors of Ukraine, Germany, and the European Union to Canada are expected to appear at a Foreign Affairs Committee meeting to discuss the decision.
Melanie Joly, Foreign Affairs, and Jonathan Wilkinson, Natural Resources have also been summoned to the committee to answer questions about the exception.
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