We, the undersigned, are Canadian citizens and residents who strongly condemn Putin’s unprovoked and unlawful invasion of Ukraine. The brave Ukrainians are fighting with their lives to defend not only their own freedom and democracy but ours. We urge the Canadian government to do everything in its power to stop Putin’s murdering of innocent Ukrainians. 

In recent days, met with the resolute resistance of Ukrainians, Putin has intensified Russia’s deadly bombings, expanding its air assault and targeting civilians and critical infrastructure, including nuclear power plants and humanitarian corridors in direct violation of a cease-fire agreed to by Russia. President Zelensky has repeatedly pleaded with NATO and the EU to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine’s airspace to minimize civilian casualties, and/or provide Ukraine with warplanes to defend themselves against Russia’s aerial assault. As a result of NATO and the EU’s continued refusal to do either, Ukrainian men, women, and children are continuing to be slaughtered while we look on with horror through the screens of our cell phones, laptops or televisions. 

We praise the bravery of Ukrainians. We know that they are also dying for us.

“Ukraine has become the front line in a struggle, not just between democracies and autocracies but in a struggle for maintaining a rule-based system in which the things that countries want are not taken by force.” – Russia expert Fiona Hill.

We have chanted “Stand with Ukraine!” But it seems that we don’t want to take much risk ourselves. 

Our politicians have raised alarm bells about triggering a broader global war if the West gets more involved. However, we must remember that democracy cannot be taken for granted nor left to others to defend lest we forget the painful lessons of the 20th Century. 

The arguments that it is too risky to stop Putin because of Russia’s nuclear capability and because it may trigger a third World War were used in 2014 when he invaded East Ukraine and annexed Crimea. Our permissive response has only emboldened Putin. Now he is going after the whole of Ukraine. If we let him succeed, he will go after other countries. 

“Risk and costs are higher now because the “reasonable” people in the West always choose lower risk today to guarantee higher risk tomorrow. There is no waiting this out…Either Putin destroys Ukraine and eventually hits NATO with an even greater catastrophe, or Putin falls in Russia. He cannot be stopped with weakness.” – Garry Kasparov, Chairman of the Human Rights Foundation

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said NATO would defend "every inch" of NATO's territory from Moscow’s invasion, and if conflict comes their way, they are ready. That would be the same Russia's nuclear power as the one who is invading Ukraine now. If NATO can handle that nuclear risk, why can’t they handle this nuclear risk?

“If we’re not able to stop (the Ukraine invasion) in its tracks, I think we know what will happen. It will simply be a license for others to do the same.” – Bob Rae, Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations.

Ukrainians are fighting for us and we must do our part. We call on the Canadian government to provide Ukraine with the defensive capacity to keep Russian war planes out of Ukrainian skies, and specifically to:

1) Support President Zelensky’s request to NATO and the EU to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine’s airspace

2) If failing to establish a no-fly zone, then increase the capacity of Ukraine’s air force to defend its airspace 

3) In the case of Ukraine lacking experienced pilots to fly our fighter jets, issue a regulation regarding the Foreign Enlistment Act to allow Canadian pilots to volunteer  

We have vowed “Never Again!” and we have promised to “Stand with Ukraine!” Let’s keep our promises.

Glory to Ukraine!