NEWS RELEASE

The Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association Stands in Solidarity with Ukraine

As the next NATO summit in Vilnius is quickly approaching, the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA) reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine and its people, and urges North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) leaders to support the two declarations unanimously approved at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s (NATO PA’s) 2023 Spring Session in Luxembourg, which took place from 19 to 22 May 2023.

The two declarations –A New NATO in an Age of Strategic Competition: Accelerating NATO’s Adaptation at the Vilnius Summit and United and Resolute in Support of Ukraine - received the full support of the Canadian delegation, led by Julie Dzerowicz, MP, Chair of CANA. Among other matters, the two declarations:

• highlight the Assembly’s efforts to hold Russia and its “co-aggressors” such as Belarus, accountable for war crimes, crimes against humanity, “possible acts of genocide” and crimes of aggression committed in Ukraine;
• reaffirm the NATO PA’s “unwavering support” for NATO’s Open Door Policy and Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration;
• call on NATO leaders to reaffirm – at the July 2023 Vilnius summit – all aspects of their support for Ukraine, “agree on the next steps towards Ukraine’s NATO membership,” and outline how NATO and the Allies can deter future acts of aggression against Ukraine post-conflict;
• underline the Assembly’s support for Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts and democratic reforms, as well as NATO’s enhanced deterrence and defence posture vis-à-vis Russia;
• urge NATO governments and parliaments to increase their support for Ukraine, and “recognise the Assembly’s important role in supporting Ukraine’s democratic consolidation and in bringing Ukraine closer to the full membership status;” and
• highlight the NATO PA’s support for “the need for firm future security guarantees for Ukraine until acquiring NATO membership;” and
• call on NATO countries “to expand massive, crippling and sustained sanctions [against Russia] for as long as it takes until Russia withdraws all of its troops from all Ukraine’s territory within its internationally recognised borders.”

CANA also recognizes that Ukraine's security and territorial integrity are of paramount importance to the stability of the Euro-Atlantic region. Moreover, CANA acknowledges the efforts made by the NATO and its member countries, as well as the European Union and other NATO partners, to provide continued political, military, economic and humanitarian support to Ukraine.

It has been almost 17 months since Russia launched its illegal and full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Russia’s invasion is a clear violation of international law and Ukrainian sovereignty, and poses an ever-growing threat to peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic region. In the face of Russia’s aggression, the Ukrainian people have stood strong, defending their country against attacks which have resulted in millions of people being displaced, thousands dying, and Ukraine’s natural and physical environments being devastated.

Finally, CANA eagerly awaits the key outcomes of the upcoming July 2023 Vilnius summit, where NATO leaders plan to discuss Ukraine’s NATO membership, and future security guarantees for Ukraine, among other issues. The Vilnius summit will be followed by the NATO PA’s 69^th Annual Session, which will be held on 6-9 October 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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For further information:
Brett Hartley, Parliamentary Assistant to Julie Dzerowicz, MP and Chair of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association
613-992-2576

Céline Ethier
Association Secretary
Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association
CANA@parl.gc.ca