Honourable senators, today marks the three-hundred-and-fifty-ninth day of Russia’s illegal and genocidal invasion of Ukraine. Many pundits would not have predicted Ukraine would have proven so capable of defending itself in the face of overwhelming odds.

Let’s ponder the reality of this defence for a bit. At the time of the invasion, Russia had the world’s fifth-largest military; Ukraine ranked twenty-fifth. In 2021, Russia had four times more military personnel, six times more tanks, a naval fleet that was 16 times larger, 15 times the amount of artillery and 4,200 airplanes compared to Ukraine’s 310. But, as we know, Ukraine had tractors.

Everyone here has seen the iconic images of Ukrainian tractors towing disabled Russian tanks. The tractor has become the symbol of a people who are fiercely and effectively fighting for their land, for their lives and for their very existence. These are well-trained soldiers for sure, but also everyday people, who were doing everyday things until the bombs began to rain down. The world is amazed by their tenacity, resilience, heroism and sacrifice.

As President Zelenskyy is reported to have said when offered refuge outside Ukraine, “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.”

Unable to achieve military victory, Russia turned to genocidal attacks on civilians — targeting bombs on homes, hospitals, schools and daycare centres. Their troops detained, tortured and killed hundreds of innocent people. They stole thousands of children and whisked them off to Russia. Reuters estimates that over 40,000 people have been killed, over 50,000 injured, more than 15,000 missing and over 14 million displaced.

Canada, along with NATO members and other countries, has contributed substantial support including arms, infrastructure, medical supplies, expertise and more. As critical as this is, so is moral support — to let the people of Ukraine know that we stand with them.

Through the work of Senator Colin Deacon and the efforts of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program participants Vladyslava Aleksenko, who championed the idea of Canadian senators signing our flag to be delivered to the Ukrainian Parliament — the Verkhovna Rada — and Alyona Palyenka, who has presented us with a signed Ukrainian flag from soldiers on the front line in Bakhmut, that is why we have an opportunity to show solidarity and gratitude in this chamber.

If you haven’t done so, please consider signing the Canadian flag where it is displayed in our reading room. Its message in Ukrainian is “Ukraino, mi z teboju,” which means, “Ukraine, we are with you.” For the fight in Ukraine is not only for Ukraine — it is for the values that underlie our democratic way of life.

Wela’lioq. Thank you.