Folks march in Saskatoon, Sask., with the flag of Ukraine throughout a rally mourning the deaths of civilians killed throughout the Russian invasion of Ukraine. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
Russian atrocities in opposition to Ukrainians are more and more coming to mild. Canada might and must be doing extra to cease Russia, each independently and in coalition with different nations.
Greater than a month into Russia’s unprovoked navy aggression in opposition to Ukraine, I used to be invited to look earlier than Canada’s Standing Senate Committee on International Affairs and Worldwide Growth as an skilled witness and to supply concepts that would result in peace and safety.
In my remarks, I defined that Ukrainians are doing a heroic job defending themselves, their values and their democracy. However they want extra assist in their David and Goliath battle; they can not win this conflict alone.
It’s corresponding to the USA attacking Canada — regardless of how courageous, well-equipped and highly effective Canadian troopers are, there isn’t any approach they may stand up to a long-term assault from a superior navy drive.
Canada-Ukraine bonds
Canada and Ukraine have a particular relationship, solid over 30 years. Canada was the primary western nation to acknowledge Ukraine’s independence in 1991; Poland was the one nation forward of Canada to take action.
In 1991, I used to be a journalist in Ukraine and within the room when Canada’s chargé d’affaires in Kyiv, Nestor Gayowsky, learn the telegram asserting that Canada acknowledged Ukraine’s referendum outcomes and welcomed it as an unbiased nation. I felt so proud in that second as a Canadian-Ukrainian, and I wish to really feel that delight once more.
Canada has an vital function to play now, and it’s time for brand new concepts.
The worldwide institutional infrastructure created on the finish of the Second World Conflict is clearly unable to cease conflict and atrocities. Lester B. Pearson, who later turned Canadian prime minister, got here up with the thought of peacekeeping forces and resolved the Suez disaster. The conflict in Ukraine represents one other second in historical past when Canadians can suggest progressive options.
When requested by media how Canada is doing, I echo Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who lately thanked Canadian parliamentarians for all of the methods they’ve proven help for Ukraine, however mentioned that Ukrainians wanted extra assist.
His precise phrases to Canada’s Parliament and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on March 14, 2022, have been:
“I do know that you simply all help Ukraine. Justin, but additionally, I would really like you to know, and I would really like you to really feel this — what we really feel daily. Are you able to think about while you name your mates, your pleasant nation, and also you ask: ‘Please shut the sky, shut the airspace, please cease the bombing. What number of extra cruise missiles need to fall on our cities till you make this occur?’ They usually, in return, they specific their deep issues concerning the scenario.”
There are 5 areas the place Canada could possibly be doing extra: diplomacy, navy, economics, humanitarian and data points.
Diplomacy
Diplomatically, Canada has made sturdy statements in help of Ukraine and demanding of Russia. However it might take a extra energetic function within the peace talks, an space the place Canada has so much to carry to the desk.
A high-level go to to Ukraine would ship a powerful sign of help. Quite a few leaders have already visited Kyiv, together with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. The furthest Canadian leaders have gone is Poland.
Canada might additionally scale down its diplomatic relations with Russia, one thing quite a few states have already performed.
The Russian Embassy in Canada wants to stay open to maintain diplomatic channels accessible — however the measurement of Russia’s diplomatic mission doesn’t must be the identical as it’s throughout peacetime.
Army
Within the navy sphere, Canada had been supporting Ukraine by way of coaching and arms provides even earlier than the conflict. However as Zelensky has mentioned repeatedly, Ukrainians want extra assist.
When he addressed the EU and the G7 summits, he instructed NATO: “Please give us one per cent of what you have got; that will actually assist us.”
There are constraints dealing with Canada and NATO, but additionally room for artistic considering — each in covert actions and supplying Ukraine with funds it may possibly use to buy weapons on the open market, as urged by retired Gen. Rick Hillier.
Royal Canadian Air Pressure personnel load non-lethal and deadly help at CFB Trenton, Ont. on March 7, 2022. The cargo was certain for Ukraine by way of Poland.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Economics, humanitarian efforts
Financial sanctions in opposition to Russia have been unprecedented, but they must be strengthened, with a deal with the vitality and monetary sectors.
The perfect likelihood to cease Putin is by way of his internal circle — if they’re excluded from the worldwide financial system, they are going to lose curiosity in acquiescing to their president.
European nations are engaged on lowering their vitality dependency on Russia. Canada is able to assist by rising oil manufacturing within the quick time period and dealing on renewable vitality for the long run.
Within the humanitarian sector, Canada has opened its doorways to Ukrainians fleeing the conflict, together with in an space that I’m engaged on — aiding students.
However the course of must be streamlined, and well being care have to be offered to these arriving.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shakes arms with Ukrainian refugees in Warsaw, Poland, on March 10, 2022.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Data
Lastly, the knowledge entrance is essential given Russia’s highly effective disinformation machine.
Learn extra:
How Russia’s unanswered propaganda led to the conflict in Ukraine
Fixed vigilance in opposition to the unfold of Russian disinformation on social media is essential, however easy language can also be vital. Ukrainian media professionals are interesting to Canadian and world leaders to make use of the right terminology — for instance, not “the Ukraine disaster” however “Russia’s conflict in opposition to Ukraine.”
There’s been some enchancment on this — fewer individuals are actually saying “the Ukraine” (a Soviet apply) and appropriately saying Ukraine — however as soon as once more, extra will be performed to make sure language and information protection doesn’t reduce Ukrainians or the unprovoked navy invasion of their nation.
Learn extra:
It is ‘Ukraine,’ not ‘the Ukraine’ – this is why
It’s time to arrange a job drive bringing collectively the very best brains in Canada to provide you with new concepts of the right way to finish this conflict — and future wars. I’d be glad to serve on it. Canada has performed the function of a world peace advocate earlier than and it may possibly once more. Hardly ever has the world wanted it greater than proper now.
This text is predicated on remarks delivered to Canada’s Standing Senate Committee on International Affairs and Worldwide Growth on March 31, 2022
Marta Dyczok receives funding from SSHRCC.
