Marches in support of Ukraine were organized across the world on Saturday, two years to the day since Russia’s invasion.
According to Michael Shwec, president of the Quebec provincial council of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), events were held in more than thirty Canadian cities in support of Ukraine. He took part in the organization of the Montreal march, which began at 4 p.m. at the corner of Guy and Sainte-Catherine streets.
After the march, a ceremony and speeches took place at Philips Square in downtown Montreal. Municipal, provincial and federal elected officials participated.
“We are very grateful for Canada’s support for Ukraine. There is a lot that has already been done, except that what you need to know is that two years later, the bombs continue, in the same way, on the same scale as the first day, he believes. As long as the genocide continues, more must be done. »
Mr. Shwec wanted to thank Quebecers for their support. “Quebecers have not only opened their wallets and their homes, but they have opened their hearts,” he said.
“It shows that the values of Ukrainians and Quebecers are very similar. […] We look alike, so we come together, and that’s what we want to do today,” added the president of the CUC, an organization which notably helps the approximately 220,000 Ukrainian nationals who have been welcomed to Canada since the Russian invasion.
Announcements from Canada in Ukraine
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Ukraine on Saturday to mark the second anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion. In particular, he signed a new bilateral security agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which includes some $320 million in new military spending, expected by the end of the year, as well as $2.4 billion in loans to Ukraine, which will be administered by the International Monetary Fund.
Although Michael Shwec has not yet had the time to look in detail at the recent announcements, he believes that they are welcomed positively by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. However, work remains to be done, according to him.
The president of the CUC wants an action plan to be put in place for the return of children who have been kidnapped by Russia. He would also like Canadian leadership on the world stage to be even stronger to obtain more military support for Ukraine.
“There is no compromise with Russia, that’s clear,” argues Mr. Shwec.
“ [Les soldats russes] are terrorizing the Ukrainian people. But the Ukrainian people defend themselves and defend themselves very well,” he mentions.