Rada’s first deputy chair visits Ottawa

OTTAWA – Andriy Parubiy, first vice-chair of the Ukrainian Parliament, visited Ottawa on February 23. He met with ministers, MPs and representatives of the Ukrainian community. In a meeting with Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Nicholson, Mr. Parubiy discussed the security situation in eastern Ukraine, including concerns over Mariupol, and the steps taken toward reform by Ukraine’s government. Minister Nicholson said Canada is committed to working closely with the government of Ukraine to build a united, democratic and prosperous Ukraine. Mr. Parubiy thanked Canada for taking a leadership role in supporting Ukraine and for the new economic sanctions and travel bans imposed on February 17 against 37 Russian and Ukrainian individuals and 17 Russian and Ukrainian entities. Minister Nicholson and Mr. Parubiy also discussed the February 12 Minsk agreement and the persistent ceasefire violations by the Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Minister Nicholson offered his sympathies to the Ukrainian people following the bombing of a peaceful demonstration in Kharkiv. The minister also called on the Putin regime to withdraw its forces immediately from Ukraine and to use its influence on the separatists to have them lay down their weapons. (Ukrainian Canadian Congress)