President to Canadian parliamentarians: Step up sanctions, close sky

“Justin! All friends of our country Ukraine! All friends of the truth! You understand how important it is for us to protect our skies from Russian missiles and planes. You can influence this,” President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said in his address to the Parliament of Canada.

He also underscored the importance of stepping up sanctions against the aggressor. “You have imposed sanctions against Russia – truly moral. Really substantial. However, we see that the war, unfortunately, continues. That Russian troops are not leaving our territory… That means more needs to be done. Much more! For peace. We all have to do more to stop Russia,” the President stressed.

Zelensky called on Canada to demand that their companies stop working in Russia. “You can force even more companies to leave the Russian market. So that there is not a single dollar for the war. If they stay in Russia and sponsor the war, they are not allowed to work in Canada. Let it be so - and it will give us peace,” he said.

Zelensky also addressed the Ukrainian community in Canada. “It is at this historic moment that we need your effective help. And you must prove with your steps that you are a part of the history of Ukraine, the living history of Ukraine. Remember this – living. Because we want to live. And we strive for peace,” the President of Ukraine emphasized.

As reported, Russian president Putin declared war on Ukraine on February 24 and launched a large-scale invasion. Russian troops shell and destroy infrastructure, conduct massive shelling of residential areas of Ukrainian cities and towns, using artillery, MLRS, and ballistic missiles.

The United States, the European Union, and other countries have imposed sanctions on Russia as an aggressor state whose international isolation is growing every day.

The International Criminal Court has begun documenting and investigating Russia's war crimes in Ukraine.

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