75 years ago today, Josef Stalin concluded his agreement with Adolf Hitler to carve up the borderlands of eastern and Central Europe before a single shot was fired in the Second World War. After joining the Nazis in invading Poland, Stalin also offered Russian “mutual assistance” treaties to the Baltic states which were followed by “elections” for those states to join the Soviet Union. The end result of Russia's friendly assistance was a half century of murderous repression and unspeakable suffering. We, the millions of Canadians whose families escaped are still coping with the trauma today.
25 years ago, Canadians, including Markus Hess, lead the charge against Soviet repression by starting the Black Ribbon Day protests. We owe them a debt of gratitude for making a difference. For helping raise awareness and helping tear down the Soviet empire.
Canada is again leading the charge against the neo-Stalinist regime that is now invading Ukraine. As members of the Central and Eastern European communities, we are watching in horror as Ukraine is living out our worst nightmare. We are with you. We will always support you and the sovereignty of independent Ukraine.
As Ms. Merkel and Germany once again work out a secret deal with Russia to permanently give away Crimea, Canada must consider sending its own “aid convoy” to defend Ukraine's sovereignty and indeed the borders of it allies in Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
Slava Ukraini!
Marcus Kolga
