EKNi presidendi Kairi Hemingway ette kantud sõnavõtt 24.2. 2023 Toronto raekoja juures, kui heisati Ukraina lipp:
“On February 24th, 2023, Estonians around the world celebrate the 105th anniversary of Estonian independence, a timespan that includes a tragic half century under Soviet occupation. Estonians know all too well what it means to lose their freedoms and right to self-determination.
Since Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022, NATO and the European Union have demonstrated remarkable unity in their support for Ukraine. Increasingly, western democracies have come to realize that the future of democracy is at stake in Ukraine.
Putin’s war is one that Ukraine must win and Russia must lose.
As Estonian Canadians, we are proud of Estonia, which has contributed a greater percentage of its GDP in support of Ukraine, than any other country in the world. We are proud of Estonian Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas and her government for showing remarkable international leadership.
As a community, Estonian Canadians have contributed close to $500,000 in support of Ukraine. Many community members have hosted Ukrainian refugees in their homes. The Estonian Central Council in Canada continues to speak out and work together with the Ukrainian Canadian Council in lobbying the Canadian government for increased support.
This February 24th, as we celebrate our own hard-fought freedom, Estonian Canadians continue to Stand Strong with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their courageous fight for their own survival and for democratic principles and values around the world. Elagu Eesti! Slava Ukrainia!”
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