February 20, 2015 - The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:
“A year ago, the people of Ukraine took to the streets and paid a high price for speaking out against the violent and repressive actions of the Yanukovych regime. Today, tragically, Ukrainians continue to fight for their democracy and the right to determine the course of their history in the face of Russia’s sustained efforts to seize territory and undermine their national sovereignty.
“Let me be clear: Canada strongly condemns the ongoing violations of the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine by Russian-backed separatists.
“We call on the Russian Federation to immediately and unequivocally end these violations and adhere fully to the provisions of the Minsk agreement of February 12. The Kremlin and the separatists it backs must immediately cease their attacks, withdraw heavy weapons, halt the flow of fighters and equipment from Russia into Ukraine, allow Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe monitors to do their job, and proceed with full implementation of their Minsk commitments.
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