Ukraine’s Zelensky addresses Canadian parliament, tells it to imagine Vancouver, Toronto under attack
- In a historic address, the Ukrainian president again calls for Nato to impose a no-fly zone to defend his country against Russian attacks
- ‘Can you imagine the CN Tower in Toronto if it was hit by Russian bombs? I don’t wish that on anyone, but this is the reality we face’
Zelensky, delivering the first virtual address to the House of Commons in Ottawa, said that while he was grateful for Canada’s support since Russia’s invasion of his country, “you all need to do more”.
“We are not asking for much … please imagine how important it is to close our airspace,” he said.
Ukraine has extensive historical links with Canada, which is home to the world’s third largest population of ethnic Ukrainians, behind Ukraine and Russia. More than 1.3 million Canadians claim Ukrainian heritage.
Justin, can you imagine, you or your children hearing these explosions? Can you imagine that?
Zelensky, who made his 12-minute address from an undisclosed location against a plain backdrop with a Ukrainian flag, framed his remarks by directly asking Trudeau to picture an invasion of Canada, describing missile strikes, troop incursions and attacks on civilians.
