Watch PM Trudeau’s full introduction for Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in the House of Commons

Mr Speaker parliamentarians honor guests friends We Gather today at a pivotal point in history this is a time of incredible uncertainty attacks upon the rules-based international order threatened to upend the peace and prosperity that have been the Bedrock of Canada’s success this is a challenge on a generational

Scale a challenge that history will judge us on a challenge we must confront with lionhearted courage and the world can find no better inspiration and our friend here with us in our house today President Vladimir zielinski and his wife the first lady of Ukraine [Laughter] one year six months and 29 days ago

Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine unleashing a campaign of violence and brutality that has left countless dead and forced Millions to flee for one year six months and 29 days the people of Ukraine have defended their homes their language and their freedom to choose their own future

They have fought back with the courage that has inspired the world and they have been led by President zielinski a great champion of democracy cheers to speak about the fight for your democracy and your freedom and you do it to remind us that in your country Russia continues its assault and

Ukrainians are sacrificing their lives children kidnapped and people who are being taught to hate I’ve seen Putin’s destructive evil firsthand during my visits to Ukraine since the War Began I saw it in the bombed out neighborhoods and the bridges reduced to Twisted Steel in the abandoned homes

I also saw it in the faces of your citizens they walked down the street sat in cafes daily life seemingly persisting but with everyone I spoke to I saw in the backs of their eyes the weight of this war the fear for their fellow ukrainians on the front lines the anxiety that another

Air raid silent siren would go off at any moment the loss of a loved one the toll of this war on the mental health and well-being of ukrainians is immeasurable I know first lady zelenska you are dedicated to the work to address this so today we are funding providing funding

To support mental health care in Ukraine as we continue to applaud your tremendous leadership in these difficult times when rules-based orders crumble so much is lost one example of how this breakdown manifests is the horrifying preventable hardship as Russia blocks green exports worsening hunger and starvation among the world’s most vulnerable people

President zielinski you and the Ukrainian people are holding the rules-based order in the balance you were on the front lines not just of the fight for Ukraine but in the fight for the kind of future we are all going to be living in A necessary confidence to invest in their future and helped millions of people escape poverty there isn’t a single place that hasn’t known Prosperity thanks to peace well what Putin has done is a break with civilization it is a violation of our common Humanity it is an attempt to disassemble the

Rules-based order that protects our freedom it is a move to weaken democracy and assert autocracy Putin governs with deception violence and repression he imprisons his own people and stirs up ugly Sentiments of xenophobia and racism but his Imperial delusions in Ukraine have been met with a fierce defense a

Defense that is not just strong because of the support from friends around the world but because those who fight for their freedom will always fight with their whole hearts must be held responsible for their actions were arbitrarily detained by China there are countries that are bending or breaking the rules political forces that

Are pandering to demagoguery and we are all experiencing a rise of disinformation some state-sponsored some politically motivated that twists facts and refuses evidence and science in this era of uncertainty and of resurgent great power competition rules are what will protect us and it’s not enough for them to just be written down somewhere

We must advocate for them stand up for them and live by them history will judge us on how we defend democratic values and Ukraine is at the tip of the spear in this great challenge of the 21st Century that’s why Canada and Canadians are there for Ukraine and why we stand so

Unequivocally against Russia it’s why people across Canada have welcomed with open arms over a hundred and seventy five thousand ukrainians some of whom are here with us today foreign [Laughter] They are part of a group of Ukrainian scientists who found safety in Canada their expertise in the clean economy is helping the world unwind its dependence on the fossil fuels weaponized by despots like Putin we also have leaders from the Ukrainian Canadian Community like Russia and others they come from the Canadian

Prairies where so many Ukrainian immigrants have settled for over a century and they have led the charge in helping their communities welcome refugees fleeing Putin’s bombs everything com collecting clothing donations to helping them find homes we’re also joined by Agnes and Susan who lost their brother Anthony a

Humanitarian volunteer just 12 days ago he was killed in a Russian strike while trying to help civilians in donetsko Blast innocent people who are being brutalized by the kremlin’s unprovoked aggression today our Gallery is filled with ukrainians who’ve come to show their support and gratitude for you

Valodimir but I think we all need to take a moment to thank them for their bravery their generosity and their solidarity with the values of democracy thank you [Laughter] in military financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine since Putin began his war of aggression today we are making a longer term multi-year

Commitment that provides predictable steady support to Ukraine it will include 650 million dollars over three years for 50 armored vehicles including medical evacuation vehicles that will be built by Canadian workers in London Ontario we’ll also send F-16 Trainers for pilots and for maintenance so ukrainians are able to maximize their use of donated

Fighter jets to provide unwavering support and we will continue to provide economic support to Ukraine over the next year so that it remains a strong Dynamic and prosperous Democratic country but our greatest hope is that you won’t need military or financial support for long soon based on a compromise imposed by the

Aggressor for a lasting peace we must oppose Putin and reject his attempts to bring us back to a time when might made a right clearly establish that borders must be respected regardless of the size of the neighboring Army must restore the right of ukrainians to determine their own future

Canada stands with the principles of Ukraine’s peace formula we believe that peace must respect the U.N Charter be based in international law and preserve Ukraine’s territorial Integrity this is the peace we must fight for and that is what Ukraine has done for one year six months and 29 days

Putin thought it would make he’d make quick work of marching on Keith Putin thought president zielinski would cave in the face of personal peril but sir you have not you have galvanized the world you have made the bonds between Democratic allies and Friends stronger than ever

To see you here today in this chamber see so many proud and courageous ukrainians here today after everything you have all endured is a testament to the commitment of your country and the strength of your fight president leadership security in times like this the world needs leaders who understand that true

Strength is not about wielding power but about empowering others true strength is not about crushing your opponent with brute force and lies it’s about respecting the humanity and the Dignity of everyone it’s about governing from a basis of Truth and compassion in times of Crisis holding fast to

Positive values like this can be a lot harder than resorting to fear and resentment but it is well worth it when the history books are written we know what they will say of you that you were among those who stood up for their principles no matter how hard

Among those who stood up to bullies among those who protected the less fortunate among those who unified people in the face of fear among those who defended the rules and upheld the law among those who put Justice hope and freedom Above All Else we know that democracy is one of the

Greatest expressions of freedom it gives us the right to have a voice to choose our own future to be protected by a system with Justice and accountability democracy does not happen by accident and it will not continue without effort we must defend it and strengthen it with all that we have

A Vladimir my friend you have a unique understanding of this you stare down Putin every single day and we will be with you and all heroes of this courageous fight for as long as it takes girlfriend Mr Speaker it is now my distinct honor to welcome President Vladimir zielinski

Of Ukraine to address this house

FULL ADDRESS: PM Trudeau praised Ukraine’s courage in the face of the Russian invasion as he introduced President Zelenskyy in the House.

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