During yesterday’s address to Canada’s parliament (March 15, 2022), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
“Zelensky’s call for a no-fly zone is a reckless bid to stoke direct conflict between NATO and Russia”, explained Yves Engler, a fellow with the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute. “It would lead to even more devastation for Ukrainians and could lead to cataclysmic nuclear war.”
In response to Russia’s criminal invasion of Ukraine Ottawa has already announced nearly $100 million in new arms, including anti-tank weapons.
“Instead of pouring in more weapons, Canada should push to negotiate a way out of the conflict,” said Bianca Mugyenyi, Director of the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute. “The alternative is evermore Ukrainians dying and the growing possibility of nuclear war.”
“Anyone concerned about Ukrainians should consider what the US and its allies did in Afghanistan through the 1980s,” explained Engler. “They provided the Mujahideen with a continual flow of weapons that helped them deliver a huge blow to Soviet forces but was also catastrophic for Afghans.”
“Canadians who want to support Ukrainians facing Russia’s brutal assault need to think carefully about the endgame,” added Engler. “Will sending evermore weapons put a stop to the death and destruction or prolong it?”
“During war it takes courage to press for diplomacy,” added Mugyenyi.
That’s why the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute recently sponsored a letter writing campaign calling on MPs to support diplomacy instead of further militarization. It argues for Canada to declare its opposition to the expansion of NATO, call on the US to withdraw aggressive weapon systems from Eastern Europe and to push for Ukraine to adopt the Minsk agreements to resolve the eight-year conflict in the east of the country.
The Canadian Foreign Policy Institute informs people about the country’s diplomatic, aid, intelligence and military policies abroad. The CFPI opposes the racism embedded in Canadian foreign policy. The non-partisan organization also monitors corporate Canada’s international activities.
