Kitchener mayor calling for the immediate end to war in Ukraine (update)
Posted Apr 7, 2022 03:23:00 PM.
The mayor of Kitchener met virtually with mayors from Ukraine Thursday afternoon.
Berry Vrbanovic was also joined by mayors from Chicago, Mexico City, as well as other municipal officials from across North America to discuss the ongoing conflict.
Vrbanovic addressed his counterparts and said that the city of Kitchener stands with the people of Ukraine and support those affected by the war.
“When our world woke up to the harsh and horrific reality that a major new conflict had erupted on the world stage on February 24th, as the Russian government embarked on the largest assault and territorial attack of a sovereign democratic European nation since World War Two, that which was once unimaginable, has now become a reality, he said, “a reality for the world and most of all, a painful reality of death, suffering and destruction witnessed by you as local government leaders and all the Ukrainian citizens you represent today.”
He said the fate of a free and independent Ukraine is being decided as we speak in Ukraine.
“This fate is being decided by the women and men who are taking arms to defend your country because, as one said in a recent interview, for them, the values of an open society and a free world are worth to fight for and are worth to die for. And so while today I bring the unwavering and united support of the people of Kitchener and that of all of Canada cities and communities from coast to coast to coast, represented by the two thousand plus members of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to this meeting know that our solidarity and support stands unified with you and with cities from across North America like Toronto, Montreal and New York and others around the world.”
Vrbanovic called on the Russian government to immediately end its invasion of Ukraine.
“We call for an immediate end to the imperial tyranny of the Russian initiated war upon Ukraine, an end to the war crimes and draconian massacre of innocent Ukrainian children and citizens, and a diplomatic resolution that leads to an immediate exit of Russian troops from all Ukrainian territory,” he said.
He adds he stands with the Canadian government for the sanctions that have been put onto Russia until the end of the invasion.
“We stand together with the all party support of our Canadian government, led by our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and our Ukrainian Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Canada's unwavering support for Ukraine and in all necessary sanctions against Russia to bring about this result. And we stand ready to work once again with Ukrainian cities on your road to a postwar recovery,” he said.
“While news of recent weeks has been particularly difficult for them, they have come together with all Canadians to raise much needed dollars, medical supplies and more to support the war effort in Ukraine and working together with us are preparing to welcome Ukrainians seeking temporary refuge in our communities here in Canada. We believe you. Canada and the world sees what is happening, and we join the world in calling out the Russian lies and disinformation. As Canadians, we speak with one united voice when we say nothing can justify the targeting and destruction of cities and communities, and the evil and senseless loss of innocent civilian lives in places like Butcher and throughout Ukraine.”
The mayor of Kyiv spoke about how his city has been affected by the invasion of the Russian military.
The session was organized by the Council of Europe.
