Hundreds of people gathered in Canada’s largest city Toronto Tuesday night (February 18) in front of the Ukrainian consulate to call for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Ukraine. Draped in the yellow and blue Ukrainian flag, they held candles, sang songs and recited prayers.
Hundreds gathered outside the Ukrainian Consulate in Toronto. (Photo:Travis Dhanraj/CBC)
At the gathering there were calls for the Canadian government to impose strict sanctions on the Ukrainian government headed by President Viktor Yanukovych.
On Wednesday, the Globe and Mail newspaper reported Canada’s embassy in Kiev has been closed. “A voice message at the Canadian embassy and its website both indicate the closure, but don’t say when it took place.”
In Mexico on an official visit, Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper voiced his concern about the situation in Ukraine. “We’re obviously very troubled by reports of renewed violence and deaths. Canada continues to call on the government of Ukraine to work with the opposition and achieve a peaceful solution.”
In a press release announcing medical supplies for Ukrainian activists, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said: “Canada strongly supports the Ukrainian people in their fight for a free and democratic Ukraine.”
“I will also be consulting our allies and like-minded nations to build a coordinated path forward in the coming days. All options remain available, including through the deployment of targeted sanctions against those responsible.”
More information:
CBC News – Toronto Ukrainians protest violence in Kyiv – here
Globe and Mail – Canada closes embassy in Kiev as Ukrainian violence escalates – here
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada press release – Canada to Provide More Medical Supplies to Ukrainians – here
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