The Committee on Ukraine's EU Integration held a meeting with Canadian MPs

Members of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU and the Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation met with Canadian colleagues James Bezan, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee on National Defence of the Canadian Parliament, who is also Canada's Shadow Minister of Defence, and Pat Kelly, a member of the Standing Committee on National Defence of the Parliament of Canada.

Ukrainian members of parliament thanked Canada for the comprehensive support it provides to Ukraine. The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration, into the EU Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, emphasised that it is important to maintain the intensity and speed of aid. “Now the West is moving from realising that Ukraine cannot lose this war to realising that Ukraine must win. However, we still don't get enough support to win. Our partners are not ready yet to act in such a way that Russia is defeated,” noted Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. In her opinion, the partners also lack determination regarding Ukraine's membership in NATO. According to the Chair of the Committee, Canada's position on inviting Ukraine to the Alliance could be much stronger and louder. “There will be no lasting peace in Europe if Ukraine does not become a member of NATO. If Ukraine remains in a grey zone, it will be constantly exposed to danger and have to defend itself against the enemy again,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze is convinced.

She also emphasised that Ukraine needs even more means of air defence, because the Russian Federation continues its attacks on Ukrainian citizens, infrastructure and ports. Ukraine must defend itself and needs help of its allies.

First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU Vadym Halaychuk noted that Ukraine's membership in NATO may not in any case be a subject of discussion with Russia. He also called on Canada to work with the countries where Russian propaganda had a particularly strong influence in order to communicate the truth about the war in Ukraine.

Secretary of the Committee Valentyn Nalyvaichenko emphasised that Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO are priorities for Ukraine, so Canada's assistance on this path is of great importance.

The parties also discussed energy security, demining and Ukraine's needs for weapons. Canadian members of parliament promised support, as well as further assistance in demining Ukraine, sanctions pressure on Russia and training Ukrainian military. They emphasised cross-party support for Ukraine in the Parliament of Canada. They also noted that Canada could do even more. In this context, Canadian MPs promised to work with their government, calling for strong and long-term support for Ukraine.