Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (The Canadian Press)

By Justin Goulet

President of Ukraine pleads with Canada for more sanctions against Russia

Mar 15, 2022 | 12:27 PM

OTTAWA, ON – Ukraine’s President addressed Parliament via video link Tuesday morning, asking Canadians to imagine the horror unfolding in his country as the Russian invasion continues.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, “imagine that Canadian facilities have been bombed similarly as our buildings and memorial places are being bombed.”

“A number of families have died. Every night is a horrible night. Russians are shelling from all kinds of artillery, from tanks. They’re hitting civilian infrastructure. They’re hitting big buildings.”

Zelenskyy’s address resulted in a packed House of Commons for the first time in two years. Dozens of invited guests sat in the public galleries and most MPs took their seats in person.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the strong turnout was a show of Canadian unity in support of Ukraine.

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Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is grateful for Canada’s support, but is asking for more help from Ottawa, including implementing a no-fly zone to stop Russian planes and missiles.

“What I am trying to say is, you all need to do more to stop Russia, to protect Ukraine and by doing that, to protect Europe from Russian threat. They’re destroying everything; memorial complexes, schools, hospitals, housing complexes. They’ve already killed 97 Ukrainian children.”

Zelenskyy continued, “this attack on Ukraine, it’s their intent to annihilate Ukrainian people and there is nothing else to it. This is their main objective. It’s actually the war against Ukrainian people.”

“It’s an attempt to destroy everything that we as Ukrainians do. It’s an attempt to destroy our future, to destroy our nation, our character.”

He asked of Canada, “please do not stop in your efforts, please expand your efforts to bring back peace in our peaceful country.”

“I am grateful to everyone of you in the Parliament of Canada who is present there, to every Canadian citizen. I am very grateful to you, Justin [Trudeau]. I am grateful to Canadian people and I am confident that together we will overcome, and we will be victorious. Glory to Ukraine, thank you to Canada.”

Following his address, Zelenskyy received a standing ovation from those in attendance.

Earlier Tuesday, it was announced that Canada was sanctioning another 15 Russian politicians and military leaders. The list announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly includes Russia’s deputy prime minister, the commander of the air force, and several leaders of the Russian navy.

Meanwhile, Russia is retaliating against Canadian sanctions with some measures of its own.

Russia has announced that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, and Defence Minister Anita Anand are banned from entering Russia.

They are among multiple Canadians who have been included on a list of banned foreigners on the Russian foreign ministry’s website.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is in its 20th day.