Monday marks an emotional anniversary for members of London’s Ukrainian Canadian Community. A day Ola Novosad hoped would never come.
“It’s been three long years, and I’m feeling a tremendous sense of sadness. So many people have been killed,” she said.
It’s the three-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It follows Washington’s peace talks with Russia, which excluded Ukraine, and U.S. President Donald Trump blaming Ukraine for starting the war.
Novosad, a member of the London branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, said the community is angered.
“Russia, who was the aggressor, is being treated as the victim. Ukraine is being asked to make reparations or giving up resources. Meanwhile, the aggressor seems to be getting what they want, so people are very angry,” she said.
But she said there is some hope - in the form of support from Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday he’s not ruling out sending Canadian troops to Ukraine as part of a ceasefire deal. He also pledged 25 additional light armoured vehicles, originally manufactured in Canada.
Meantime, Canada is providing $5 billion in aid, using revenues from frozen Russian assets.
Canada breaking from the U.S. on major international policy is not new. Vietnam and Iraq are examples. But in this case, it’s a rift created by one man alone, said Matt Lebo, a political science professor at Western University, and an expert on U.S. policy.
“Canada’s going to, you know, probably, going to be on the same side as they would have had Kamala Harris become president. But now they have to take on a much more active role, and they do have to deal with a president who’s, you know, willing to throw every international agreement, every trade agreement, everything that’s been built up over 200 years,” said Lebo.
In the meantime, Ola Novosad said she’s grateful Ukraine still has allies.
“Very grateful for all the support, including moral support which is important. And it seems that the Europeans are also showing up,” said Novosad.
