Catégorie : CUF In The News

By Joshua Kloke

The Athletic, New York Times

Canada men’s national team coach Jesse Marsch offered his support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian national team on Friday while also taking aim once again at United States President Donald Trump.

“As an American, the treatment that we have given the President of the Ukraine and the lack of respect really bothers me. Without having to know what it’s like to go through something like what these players, this coach and this federation has been through, I am just really excited to be able to show our support,” Marsch said in his opening remarks at a Friday morning event with the Canada Ukraine Foundation.

Marsch is likely referencing a tense and fiery exchange between Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Feb. 28 that made global headlines.

Marsch has previously taken aim at Trump, saying in February that Trump should “lay off the ridiculous rhetoric about Canada being the 51st state; as an American, I’m ashamed of the arrogance and disregard we’ve shown one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies.”

Due to the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian national team is required to play its matches in neutral venues.

“If you think about the challenges that the players from Ukraine have been through, they haven’t played a home match in several years, they’ve had to play World Cup qualifiers on foreign soil, they’ve had players playing professionally and internationally with the concern of the safety of their country and their family and their friends,” Marsch said. “In general, the ability for us to have empathy and sympathy for everything that their team, their nation, their team, their players have gone through is really important at a time like this.”

Ukraine’s upcoming home matches in UEFA Group D of 2026 World Cup qualification do not yet have a location.

“As the Canadian national team coach, to show how much we are behind them, we are with them, that we want to do everything we can,” Marsch said, noting that one of the beauties of international football is that it “can take on so much more than what the sport is.”

Ukraine is in Toronto to play Canada in the Canadian Shield friendly tournament on Saturday. Ukraine will play its second match of the Canadian Shield friendly tournament on Tuesday against New Zealand, while Canada plays Ivory Coast also on Tuesday.

“It’s really a pleasure and an honour to show that friendship and respect are at the core of everything we try to do in this sport,” Marsch said.

Article by Charles Lewis

For 11 years, Ukraine has been plagued by war, which began in 2014 with Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and Donbas region. Then, in an act of blatant aggression, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Part of the opening salvo was the indiscriminate bombing of cities, killing and maiming of civilian men, women and children. The aim was to destroy Ukraine and absorb what was left into Russia. However, to the surprise of Vladimir Putin and the world, Ukraine has still not succumbed.

Ceasefires have been called for but with little success. While recent discussions were going on Russia sent missiles raining down on Sumy, killing 34 people, including two children, gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday.

Valeriy Kostyuk is the executive director of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF), a group that raises money for aid projects to help Ukraine with medical assistance humanitarian aid. His message is simple: don’t abandon Ukraine. Even if the war ended tomorrow Ukraine would still need massive amount of help to rebuild. I recently had a sit-down with Kostyuk to discuss the three+ years of war that have engulfed Ukraine.

Charles Lewis: You were born in Ukraine. Personally, how has the war affected you? Go back to those first days more than three years ago.

Valeriy Kostyuk: The first days of Russia’s war on Ukraine were a rollercoaster of emotions. There was shock, disbelief and an overwhelming sense of urgency. My thoughts immediately went to those in Ukraine, my family, friends, and loved ones back home — it was a terrible feeling. Those early days were filled with long hours, sleepless nights and an intense drive to ensure that Ukrainians, both here in Canada and back home, felt supported and heard. It was a mix of helplessness and determination. As much as I was worried, I knew I had to act to mobilize support and help in any way I could, and I began undertaking projects to support those in Ukraine.

When the full-scale invasion began, in partnership with Lighthouse Immersive, I worked to bring the groundbreaking exhibition Immersive Shevchenko: Soul of Ukraine to North America, using digital art to showcase Ukraine’s cultural heritage during a critical time. This initiative not only raised vital awareness about Ukraine’s rich artistic traditions but also generated significant funds to support humanitarian efforts in my homeland during Russia’s invasion. This was an opportunity for me personally, with the help of my colleagues at that time, to feel less helpless.

CL: Do you have family members affected by the war?

Kostyuk:Like many in the Ukrainian-Canadian community, I have family and friends directly impacted. Some have been displaced and forced to flee their homes, while others have stayed to serve or provide humanitarian aid on the ground. Every day, I hear stories of resilience and heartbreak from loved ones struggling to rebuild their lives to those enduring unimaginable loss.

CL: What was Ukraine like for your growing up?

Kostyuk: I was born in Odesa, a beautiful city on the Black Sea coast. Odesa is known as the capital of humour and home to millions of happy-go-lucky people. Life in Odesa before the war resembled life in a Federico Fellini film. Today, it’s excruciating to see this beautiful city destroyed day after day by Russian missiles.

CL: Given that U.S. President Donald Trump is holding talks with Ukraine and Russia, although finding an agreement will be difficult, are you worried Canadians will think there’s no more reason to give to your charitable group?

Kostyuk: The very complexity of our geopolitical situation reinforces the need for CUF’s work. While political talks, such as those involving Trump, are unfolding they don’t change the stark reality on the ground. The humanitarian crisis persists, and many face hardship, uncertainty and loss daily. For the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, our mission remains unchanged: to provide direct support to Ukrainians in need.

Canadians understand that political negotiations can be long and fraught with challenges, they know that such talks don’t equate to immediate relief for those suffering. Their generosity is driven by compassion for individuals whose lives have been upended by Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Canadians through CUF have sent over $95 million worth of aid, which helped over six million people. The demand for Canadian kindness continues to grow. We have been blessed with Canadian generosity and hope that it will continue. Your readers can also become a part of the effort at the foundation (cufoundation.ca).

CL: Even if the war were to end today, I assume you would still need funds. But for what? What would be the most urgent needs?

Kostyuk: Absolutely. Even if the war were to end today, the need for support would remain urgent and long-term. The devastation in Ukraine is immense and recovery will take years, if not decades. Our focus at the Canada-Ukraine Foundation would shift toward rebuilding Ukraine and humanitarian aid in several critical area’s power grids, medical aid including mental health support, helping displaced Ukrainians and the rescue of children abducted by Russia. However, now we continue to support Ukraine in all those sectors. There is never enough of any aid when one is at war.

CL: I’m sure you get good support from those of Ukrainian background in Canada. But what about other Canadians without that background? What would you tell them? Why should they care?

Kostyuk: We deeply appreciate the support from the Ukrainian-Canadian community, but this war impacts all Canadians, regardless of heritage.

CL: Why?

Kostyuk: Ukraine’s fight is not just about Ukraine, it’s about defending democracy, human rights and global security. We can see the importance of this now more than ever as we see these issues reflected in our news cycles, with our sovereignty being threatened by the United States of America. It is a global fight for democracy and security and one we should all take very seriously.

CL: How much of a shock was it to you to see Trump and JD Vance turn on Zelensky in that televised meeting?

Kostyuk:Seeing Trump turn on President Zelensky was insulting and a shock to say the least. It was a profoundly unsettling moment, especially given what Ukraine is enduring, with Russia’s blatant war and attacks on a sovereign nation.

CL: Are you worried a Trump peace plan may include too much compromise on the part of Ukraine?

Kostyuk: Even if Trump’s stated goal is peace, I worry about the concept of “peace at any cost.” Just peace must be built on respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and the well-being of its people, not on concessions that could undermine its security and justice. The danger lies in accepting any compromise that doesn’t account for the human suffering and sacrifices already made. Political negotiations must never overshadow the urgent humanitarian needs and the core values we stand for. There can be no peace without Ukraine involved in the conversation.

CL: Is there any reason for the faithful to be particularly concerned?

Kostyuk: Ukraine has fostered religious freedom and pluralism, allowing multiple Christian denominations and other faiths to worship freely. Churches across Ukraine — encompassing Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant and other denominations — coexist and serve their communities openly. In contrast, Russia has increasingly restricted religious expression, particularly targeting the diversity of faiths. Independent religious communities face harassment, property seizures and even imprisonment under anti-extremism laws. Many Christian denominations outside the Moscow Patriarchate have experienced severe limitations on their ministry. Supporting Ukraine means defending fundamental human dignity, religious liberty and the right of people to live according to their conscience.

Open Letter: The next Canadian leader should set a powerful precedent against Russian aggression

By Special to National Post

Whoever wins Canada’s election next week will immediately face a decision with huge implications for global security and international law. At stake is the equivalent of US$300 billion of frozen Russian central bank reserves held in western currencies, C$22 billion of which is held in Canadian dollars. Given uncertainty among western allies, there’s no guarantee these assets will remain frozen.

Canada will soon host the G7, providing an invaluable opportunity to help stop hundreds of billions from going back to Russia should a European freeze lapse in July. If that happens, Russia will get a massive bailout, pay nothing for Ukraine’s reconstruction, and leave western taxpayers on the hook for both supporting Ukraine and our own defence.

We urge the Canadian government to support the immediate transfer of Russia’s frozen central bank reserves into a fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction and defence. Canada can lead by example and reaffirm that sovereignty, democracy and the rule of law are non-negotiable — and that we stand resolutely with Ukraine. European, G7 and other allies will be compelled to follow. In addition to supporting this asset transfer with its partners, Canada must signal its resolve by taking two policy measures.

The first is to ensure that the Canadian share remains in Canadian hands. The Finance Ministry can do this by segregating the assets into discrete accounts that Canada can independently freeze. The second measure is to pass Sen. Donna Dasko’s proposed amendments to Canada’s sanctions legislation, which would improve the legal basis to transfer Russia’s frozen funds held in Canadian dollars.

With uncertainty in Washington and the EU having to unanimously reaffirm sanctions every six months, there is significant risk countries like Hungary and Slovakia may veto an extension of EU sanctions, emboldened by the White House’s recent dovish turn on Russia. If that happens, Russia will be free to take back approximately $210 billion (USD equivalent), even though Canada and the vast majority of other allies oppose it. This would include the $22 billion Canadian share, unless the Finance Ministry segregates it.

A bailout for Vladimir Putin will strengthen Russia financially and militarily, unleashing hundreds of billions for Russia to wage war, possibly beyond the borders of Ukraine, including in Canada’s Arctic. Putin is estimated to have hidden US$300 billion in off-book debts to fuel Russia’s war effort. If these assets are returned, the West will have given him a bailout and be complicit in the destruction of Ukraine. For perspective, from 2022 to the end of 2024, Ukraine has received a total of US$445 billion in defence, humanitarian and financial assistance from countries around the world.

With Canada’s C$22 billion share being substantially higher than the aid it has provided to Ukraine since 2022, this is the single most important thing Canada can do right now for Ukraine to increase its resources and leverage — at no extra cost to the Canadian taxpayer. It would shatter Putin’s belief that he will have the funds to outlast western support. It would go a long way to securing a just and lasting peace.

Numerous prominent legal experts have supported the legality of seizing and transferring Russian sovereign assets under the international law doctrine of state countermeasures. Prominent economists and financial experts have stated it won’t harm financial stability.

As the next G7 host, we urge the winner of the upcoming election to demonstrate Canadian leadership at a critical time, setting a powerful precedent against aggression.

One Nanos poll shows over 80 per cent of Canadians in favour. Individual members of both major political parties and independent senators have already voiced their support. Canada is well-positioned to provide leadership.

All Canadian political parties and leaders should clearly articulate their position on this issue prior to the April 28 federal election, so that voters can take it into account. Canada has welcomed almost 300,000 displaced Ukrainians and the 1.4-million strong Ukrainian community is one of Canada’s largest ethnic communities. The message Canada sends them — and the world — must be clear: Canada does more than offer refuge and words. We take meaningful, courageous action and influence other nations to do the same.

Signatories:

The Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper, 22nd Prime Minister of Canada, 2006-2015

The Right Honourable Boris Johnson, 54th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 2019-2022

The Right Honourable Rishi Sunak, 56th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 2022-2024

Krišjānis Kariņš, 23rd Prime Minister of Latvia, 2019-2023

The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, 1996-2000

The Honourable David Collenette, Minister of Multiculturalism (1983-1984); Minister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans’ Affairs, 1993-1996; Minister of Transport (1997-2003)

The Honourable Allan Rock, Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, 2004-2006 and Minister of Justice, 1993-1997

The Honourable Irwin Cotler, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, 2003-2006 International Chair of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights (RWCHR)

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, 2013-2015, Minister of National Defence, 2007-2013 & Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2006-2007

The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, 2011-2015

The Honourable Chris Alexander, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, 2013-2015 and Canadian Ambassador to Afghanistan, 2003-2005

Artis Pabriks, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Defence, 2019-2022 & Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2004-2007, Republic of Latvia

Kajsa Ollongren, Minister of Defence, 2022-2024 & Deputy Prime Minister, 2020-2022, The Netherlands

Lawrence H. Summers, US Treasury Secretary, 1999-2001

Natalie Jaresko, Minister of Finance, 2014-2016, Ukraine

Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister for Foreign Affairs, 2020-2024, Republic of Lithuania

The Honourable Ed Stelmach, 13th Premier of Alberta, 2006-2011

Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, Ontario Cabinet Minister, 2003-2007 & Advisory Board Member, Eurobank e.g.g. business accelerator

The Honourable Thomas A. Lukaszuk, Deputy Premier of Alberta and Minister of Education, 2012-2013

Norman Spector, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, 1990-1992; Canadian Ambassador to Israel 1992-1995

Amb. John Herbst, US Ambassador to Ukraine, 2003-2006

The Honourable Donna Dasko, Independent Senator for Ontario

The Honourable Stanley Kutcher, Independent Senator for Nova Scotia

The Honourable Ratna Omidvar, retired Independent Senator for Ontario, 2016-2024

Borys Wrzesnewskyj, MP 2015-2019 & Founder, Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Association, Former Chair, Canadian-NATO Parliamentary Association

General (Retired) Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff, 2005-2008

James C. Temerty, Chairman of Temerty Foundation; Founder, Northland Power

Bill Browder, CEO Hermitage Capital Management, Head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign

Oleksandra Matviichuk, 2022 Nobel Peace Prize co-laureate; Founder, Center for Civil Liberties, Ukraine

Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank, 2007-2012

Olivier Blanchard, Chief Economist, International Monetary Fund (IMF), 2008-2015; Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics

Nazanin Afshin-Jam, Founder, Nazanin Foundation

Chantal Kreviazuk, Juno award-winning singer-songwriter; Founding Artist and Ambassador, War Child Canada

Heidi Yetman, President, Canadian Teachers’ Federation

Noah  Shack, President, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs

Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights (RWCHR)

Democratic Strategy Initiative (DSI)

Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI)

Montreal Institute for Global Security (MIGS)

David Edwards, General Secretary, Education International

Marcus Kolga, Co-Founder, Central and Eastern European Council in Canada; Director, DisinfoWatch; Senior Fellow, Macdonald-Laurier Institute and CDA Institute

Kyle Matthews, Co-founder and Executive Director, MIGS

Fen Osler Hampson, President, World Refugee & Migration Council

Jay Rosenzweig, CEO, Rosenzweig & Company;  Chair of RWCHR

Brandon Silver, International human rights lawyer & Director of Policy and Projects, RWCHR

Aaron Gasch Burnett, Co-Founder & Senior Fellow, Democratic Strategy Initiative

Balkan Devlen, Senior Fellow, MLI; Co-Lead, Pendulum Geopolitical Advisory

Yaroslav Baran, Chair of Board, Parliamentary Centre; Founding Partner, Pendulum; Board, Canada-Ukraine Foundation

Jonathan Berkshire Miller, Senior Fellow, MLI; Co-Lead, Pendulum Geopolitical Advisory

Matthew Bondy, CEO of Bondy & Associates; Senior Fellow, MLI

Richard Shimooka, Senior Fellow, MLI

Alexander Dalziel, Senior Fellow, MLI

Sheryl Saperia, CEO, Secure Canada

Adam Bolek, President and CEO, Canada Strong and Free Network

Bob Onyschuk, Partner (ret.) Gowling WLG International Law; Founding President CUCC

Jaime Pitfield, CEO, Parliamentary Centre

Alexander Lanoszka, Associate Professor, Balsillie School of International Affairs, University of Waterloo

Michael Cholod, Executive Director, Peace Coalition Foundation

Timothy Ash, Senior Sovereign Strategist, RBC Bluebay Asset Management; Associate Fellow, Chatham House

Philip Zelikow, 27th Counselor of the United States Department of State (2005-2007), Botha-Chan Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University

Anders Aslund, Senior Fellow, Stockholm Free World Forum

Yuliya Ziskina, International lawyer & Senior Legal Fellow, Razom for Ukraine

Tetyana Nesterchuk, Barrister, Fountain Court Chambers; UK expert at the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe

Jamison Firestone, Co-Founder, Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign

Katherine Vellinga, CEO, Zirkova Vodka; Board of Directors CUCC

Mariana Budjeryn, Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs; Author “Inheriting the Bomb”

Heather Bakken, Founding Partner, Pendulum Group

Stephen Leckie, CEO Canada’s Culinary Championships; CEO Canada’s Great Kitchen Party

Rupert Murray, Marine Conservationist and Filmmaker, United Kingdom

Iranian Justice Collective, “Woman, Life, Freedom” Iranian diaspora movement, Canada

League of Ukrainian-Canadian Women (LUCW)

Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF)

Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce (CUCC)

Ukrainian-Canadian Professional and Business Federation (UCPBF)

Ukrainian-Canadian Bar Association (UCBA)

Kelowna Stands With Ukraine (KSWU)

Виконавчий директор КУФ Валерій Костюк промовляє на пресконференції

Катерина Озерянська, LJI Reporter для НШ-УВ

Напередодні третьої річниці повномасштабного вторгнення Росії в Україну в приміщенні Lighthouse Artspace на вулиці Yonge Street у Торонто відбулася пресконференція, організована Канадсько-українською фундацією (CUF) та Конґресом українців Канади (КУК). Захід зібрав представників уряду, дипломатичного корпусу та української громади, які обговорили оновлену інформацію про діяльність CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal та наголосили на важливості подальшої підтримки України з боку Канади та міжнародної спільноти.

Підсумки гуманітарної діяльності

За три роки з початку широкомасштабної війни в Україні через CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal було зібрано 73 мільйони доларів на гуманітарну допомогу та отримано майже 22 мільйони доларів у вигляді товарної підтримки, що в сумі становить близько 95 мільйонів доларів.

Загалом на критично важливі програми допомоги було виділено 92 мільйони доларів, що дозволило підтримати понад 6 мільйонів людей. Ці кошти були спрямовані на забезпечення продовольством, медичною допомогою, тимчасовим житлом та іншими життєво необхідними ресурсами в межах CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

Валерій Костюк, виконавчий директор CUF, подякував канадцям за їхню щедрість і зазначив, що гуманітарна підтримка України залишається життєво необхідною:

«За три роки нашої роботи ми бачили надзвичайну єдність канадців. Від узбережжя до узбережжя люди демонстрували готовність допомагати. Ця допомога – це не просто цифри, а реальні врятовані життя. Коли українці звертаються до канадців у час найбільшої потреби, вони отримують реальну підтримку».

Виступ Олександри Хичій: політичні виклики та заклик до дій

Президент Конґресу Українців Канади Олександра Хичій наголосила на надзвичайних викликах, з якими стикається Україна, та критичній необхідності рішучих дій з боку міжнародної спільноти. Вона підкреслила, що слабка реакція Заходу на окупацію Криму та Донбасу у 2014 році сприяла подальшій агресії Росії, яка переросла у повномасштабне вторгнення. Сьогодні українці продовжують боротися за свою незалежність і підтримка союзників залишається життєво необхідною.

Олександра Хичій нагадала про жахливі злочини, скоєні російською армією в Україні: масові страти, тортури, зґвалтування та викрадення дітей, що є актом геноциду. Вона зазначила, що понад 200 000 українських дітей були викрадені Росією, а багато з них насильно всиновлені або відправлені у так звані “табори перевиховання”. Україна вже задокументувала майже 160 000 воєнних злочинів, а обстріли цивільної інфраструктури, лікарень і шкіл не припиняються жодного дня.

Окремо вона звернула увагу на нестабільну геополітичну ситуацію, зокрема на потенційні загрози, що виникають через позицію президента США Дональда Трампа. Вона наголосила, що Канада та Європа повинні розробити спільний план дій для зміцнення власної безпеки та збільшення військової допомоги Україні.

Завершуючи свій виступ, Олександра Хичій закликала всіх канадців зробити свій внесок у підтримку України, долучившись до ініціативи CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

Конкретні ініціативи CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

– Медична допомога: CUF та партнери переобладнали п’ять пасажирських автобусів у мобільні шпиталі, що працюють у регіонах України, а також провели дві місії хірургічної допомоги у Польщі у 2024 році. Також триває розширення програми медичної допомоги, яка вже врятувала тисячі життів.

– Гуманітарне розмінування: Було проведено обстеження 78 квадратних кілометрів території та навчено 19 000 цивільних осіб правилам безпеки щодо вибухонебезпечних предметів. Для цієї роботи використовується спеціально підготовлений пес «Torch» із Канади.

– Зимова підтримка: Завдяки зібраним 2,3 мільйонам доларів передано понад 450 дров’яних печей, сонячні павербанки та 1000 ліжок для переміщених осіб в Україні. В умовах обстрілів і знищення енергетичної інфраструктури ця допомога є критично важливою.

– Ментальне здоров’я: CUF організувала понад 10 000 годин групових та індивідуальних консультацій для ветеранів та цивільного населення, а також навчання для нових терапевтів.

– Енергетичні проєкти: Закуплено 32 гібридні генераторні установки для лікарень у Миколаєві та Херсоні, 37 систем збереження енергії для екстрених служб.

– Програма порятунку дітей: Разом із Save Ukraine та Temerty Foundation інвестовано 220 000 доларів у програму порятунку та реабілітації дітей, викрадених Росією.

Кампанія “Even the Brave Struggle”

Під час заходу було представлено відеозвернення генерала Ромео Даллера, відомого канадського військового лідера та гуманітарного активіста, який долучився до кампанії “Even the Brave Struggle”. У своєму виступі він поділився власним досвідом роботи з ветеранами та розповів про свої враження після відвідування України, наголошуючи на необхідності міжнародної підтримки:

«Війна – це не просто пекло, це живе пекло. Українці платять жахливу ціну, але вони не зломлені. Наше завдання – підтримати їх у цій боротьбі», – сказав генерал у своєму зверненні.

Заклик до дії

Як показують ці три роки невпинної гуманітарної роботи, солідарність Канади з Україною є потужною та дієвою. Однак війна триває, і потреба у підтримці залишається гострою. Усі пожертви до 1 мільйона доларів, зроблені до 6 квітня на підтримку кампанії “Even the Brave Struggle”, будуть подвоєні фундацією Myhal Family Foundation.

«Коли вразливі громади України потребують допомоги, канадці діють. Ми продовжуємо цю боротьбу. Час діяти зараз», – наголосив Валерій Костюк, виконавчий директор Канадсько-Української Фундації.

Докладніше про кампанію та можливості підтримки можна дізнатися на сайті www.cufoundation.ca

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