Conservative statement on developments in Eastern Europe

November 15th, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Michael Chong, Conservative Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Shadow Minister for National Defence, and James Bezan, Deputy Opposition Whip and Strategic Advisor, issued the following statement on developments in Eastern Europe:

“We are alarmed by recent actions taken by Russia and Belarus in Eastern Europe.

“Russia is conducting provocative military activities and troop movements close to Ukraine’s border. We call on President Putin to de-escalate this situation. Moscow needs to clarify its intentions regarding these military activities and troop movements. Transparency is important to avoid any misinterpretation and miscalculation.

“At the same time, Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, backed by Russia, is deliberately creating a migrant crisis at the Belarus-Poland border. The Belarus regime has deliberately lured thousands of desperate migrants from conflict zones under false pretences, and is using them as human bargaining chips in an effort to extract concessions from the European Union. This unethical treatment of vulnerable people speaks volumes about the complete lack of respect for human rights and the rule of law by the regimes in Minsk and Moscow. 

“The Canadian Armed Forces operating in Eastern Europe under Operations REASSURANCE and UNIFIER are a demonstration of the collective resolve of the Western alliance. Canada’s Conservatives will continue to call for the rules-based international order to be upheld, and unequivocally support the principles of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.”

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