Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recognize Yaroslav Hunka, who was in attendance in the House of Commons in Ottawa, Ontario, on September 22, 2023. The speaker of Canada’s House of Commons apologized on September 24, for recognizing Hunka, who fought for a Nazi military unit during World War II.
| Photo Credit: AP

The speaker of Canada’s parliament apologised on Sunday after he singled out a Ukrainian veteran alleged to have fought for the Nazis during World War II for a standing ovation during a visit by Ukraine’s leader.

The applause came as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Canadian parliament on Friday, as Speaker of the House Anthony Rota paid homage to Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old Ukrainian immigrant.

Mr. Rota hailed Mr. Hunka as “a Ukrainian Canadian war veteran from the Second World War who fought for Ukrainian independence against the Russians” and “a Ukrainian hero and a Canadian hero.”

The remarks ignore “the horrific fact that Hunka served in the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, a Nazi military unit whose crimes against humanity during the Holocaust are well-documented,” the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) said Sunday.

The Jewish advocacy group called the incident “shocking” and “incredibly disturbing”.

“An apology is owed to every Holocaust survivor and veteran of the Second World War who fought the Nazis, and an explanation must be provided as to how this individual entered the hallowed halls of Canadian Parliament and received recognition from the Speaker of the House and a standing ovation,” it continued.

Mr. Rota, a Liberal MP, apologised on Sunday, saying that he had “subsequently become aware of more information” which caused him to “regret” his recognition of Mr. Hunka.

“This initiative was entirely my own … I particularly want to extend my deepest apologies to Jewish communities in Canada and around the world,” he said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office denied any involvement in the affair, reiterating its independence from that of the Speaker of the House and saying in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, that neither it nor the Ukrainian delegation had any advance notice of the incident.

That did not stop the leader of the opposition, Pierre Poilievre, from slamming an “error in judgement.”

Trudeau’s “personal protocol office is responsible for arranging and vetting all guests and programming for state visits of this kind,” the Conservative leader posted on X, calling on the Prime Minister to “personally apologise.”

Ottawa:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday (local time) said that Russia’s aggression must end with Ukraine’s victory. He offered repeated thanks to Canada for its continued support of Kyiv.

Zelenskyy was accompanied by Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska. They received a standing ovation upon arrival in the House of Commons.

In his address at the Canadian Parliament, Zelenskyy said, “This Russian aggression must end with our victory so that Russia will never bring back genocide to Ukraine and will never ever try to do so. Moscow must lose once and for all and it will lose.”

He started his address by talking about the construction of the world’s first Holodomor monument in Edmonton in 1983.

“At that time, Ukraine didn’t yet have memorials commemorating the victims of the genocide of Ukrainians because Ukraine was under Moscow’s control back then. This fall will mark their 40th anniversary of the very first and important commemoration of the victims of Vladimir,” Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy said that a lot has changed in the past 40 years. He noted that Ukraine gained independence and dozens of countries recognized Vladimir (Russian President Vladimir Putin) for the genocide of the Ukrainian people. He said that 11 of these recognitions have been made this year.

Zelenskyy said Canada’s military assistance so far has saved thousands of lives. He lauded Canada for imposing sanctions against Russia. He thanked Canada for supporting Ukraine’s bid for NATO. He expressed gratitude to Canada for training Ukrainian soldiers. He thanked Canada for economic assistance and for helping Ukraine to get rid of Russian oil.   

Ukrainian President said, “Moscow now as always is bent on controlling Ukraine and makes use of all available means to do that, including genocide. It is genocide what Russian occupiers are doing to Ukraine and when we want to win, when we call on the world to support us, it is not just about an ordinary conflict. It is about saving lives of millions of people.”

Zelenskyy said that people will be winners in the war and not the Kremlin. He expressed hope that one day there will be a monument built in Edmonton to commemorate Ukraine and Canada’s common victory. He ended his speech by saying “Slava Ukraini.”

“Ukraine and Canada are the same. We stand and we fight for life. Ukraine, not genocide will be victorious in this war. People will be the winners, not the Kremlin. Freedom will be the winner justice will be the winner. You can know this for sure about us because you know for sure about yourself that you would never submit to evil,” Zelenskyy said.

Canadian lawmakers applauded following Zelenskyy’s speech in the House of Commons. It was the Ukrainian president’s second address to the Canadian Parliament since its conflict began with Russia in 2022. He had previously addressed the parliament virtually in 2022.

Prior to Zelenskyy’s address, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has reaffirmed support for Ukraine. He said that Canada will continue to provide economic support to Ukraine over the next year so that it remains a “strong, dynamic and prosperous democratic nation.”

In his address at the Canadian Parliament, Trudeau expressed hope that Ukraine won’t need military or financial support for long and that peace in the country will return soon. He called for opposing Russian President Vladimir Putin and rejecting his attempts to bring the world back to a time when “might made right.”

The Canadian PM said, “We will continue to work with our partners, including within NATO, to provide unwavering support. We will continue to provide economic support to Ukraine over the next year so that it remains a strong, dynamic and prosperous democratic country. But our greatest hope is that you won’t need military or financial support for long and that peace returns soon. But, it cannot be a false peace based on a compromise imposed by the aggressor.”

He further said, “For a lasting peace, we must oppose Putin and reject his attempts to bring us back to a time when might made right. A lasting peace must clearly establish that borders must be respected regardless of the size of the neighbouring army. This peace must restore the right of Ukrainians to determine their own future. Canada stands with the principles of Ukraine’s peace formula. We believe that peace must respect the UN charter, be based on international law and preserve Ukraine’s territorial integrity. This is the peace we must fight for. And that is what Ukraine has done for one year, six months and 29 days.”

He said that the Canadian government will continue to support Ukraine “for as long as it takes.” He said that Canada has provided USD 9 billion in military, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine since its conflict started with Russia.

Trudeau said, “President Zelenskyy, I have clearly said that our government will stand by you for as long as it takes. Canada has provided nearly USD 9 billion in military, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine since Putin began his war of aggression. We are making a longer-term, multiyear commitment that provides predictable, steady support to Ukraine,”

He added, “It will include USD 650,000,000 over three years for 50 armoured vehicles, including medical evacuation vehicles that will be built by Canadian workers in London, Ontario. We have also sent F-16 trainers for pilots and for maintenance so Ukrainians are able to maximize their use of donated fighter jets.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)