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Dear Parliamentarians, friends, and colleagues.

Hello, and thank you for being here today to welcome a courageous and exceptional leader.

President Zelenskyy, on behalf of Parliamentarians and on behalf of all Canadians, it is an honour to welcome you to our House.

Mr. President, Volodymyr, you are a friend.

Canadians and Ukrainians are friends.

And they have been for a long time.

Our people share deep historical ties.

In the early 20th century, a massive wave of Ukrainian immigrants came to Canada.

Many of them settled in the Canadian prairies.

They worked the land.

They built churches, distinguished by their beautiful spires.

And they helped shape Canada in significant ways.

Today, Canada is home to 1.4 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent, the second largest Ukrainian diaspora in the world.

Whether as farmers, scientists, community leaders, athletes, or front-line workers, Ukrainian‑Canadians continue to make tremendous contributions to our country. 

But the friendship between Canada and Ukraine is not only based on this shared history, is it also based on our shared values.

Volodymyr, in the years I’ve known you, I’ve always thought of you as a champion of democracy.

And now, democracies around the world are lucky to have you as their champion.  

Your courage, and the courage of your people, inspires all of us.

You’re defending the right of Ukrainians to choose their own future.

And in doing so, you’re defending the values that form the pillars of all free, democratic countries.

Freedom.

Human rights.

Justice.

Truth.

International order.

These are the values you’re risking your life for as you fight for Ukraine and Ukrainians.

Beyond that, you’re inspiring democracies and democratic leaders around the world to be more courageous, more united, and to fight harder for what we believe in.

You remind us that friends are always stronger together.

With allies and partners, we’re imposing crippling sanctions to make sure Putin and his enablers in Russia and in Belarus are held accountable.

Today, in line with our European Union partners, I can announce that we have imposed severe sanctions on 15 new Russian officials, including government and military elites who are complicit in this illegal war.

Canada will continue to support Ukraine by providing military equipment, as well as financial and humanitarian assistance.

And we’ll be there to help rebuild once the aggressor is pushed back.

In Canada, we like to root for the underdog.

We believe that when a cause is just and right, it will always prevail, no matter the size of the opponent.

This doesn’t mean it will be easy.

Ukrainians are already paying incalculable human costs.

This illegal and unnecessary war is a grave mistake, and Putin must stop it now.

Vladimir Putin’s blatant disregard for human life is completely unacceptable.

Canada continues to demand that Russia stop targeting civilians and end this unjustifiable war.

Ukrainians are standing up to authoritarianism.

And Parliamentarians in this House today, and all Canadians, are standing with you.

As friends, you can count on our unwavering and steadfast support.

And now, it is my great privilege to introduce to you all the President of Ukraine, our friend, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.