Ukraine president pleads with Canadian lawmakers to do more against Russia

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke virtually to the Canadian parliament Tuesday and asked for more aid for his country as the non-stop Russian bombardment of Ukraine continued.

Zelenskyy demanded that Russian planes be stopped from flying above Ukraine and he requested airplanes so that Ukrainian pilots could fight.

"You all need to do more," said Zelenskyy. "Please expand your efforts. Please ... close the air space. Make this happen. Protect our air space."

So far, Zelenskyy's call for NATO countries to enforce a no-fly zone has been turned down.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said a no-fly zone could lead to a dangerous escalation of hostilities. There are 30 countries in NATO, including the US, UK and Canada. It is a mutual defense pact that specifies that if one member is attacked, all members will come to its aid. Russia might see the no-fly zone as an act of war, said NATO leaders.

The UN estimated nearly 3 million Ukrainians have fled their homeland since Russia attacked Feb. 24 as indiscriminate attacks, including a maternity hospital, kill civilian adults and children. The shelling continues and Zelenzkyy told Canadian lawmakers that the result is devastation.

"We want to have peace," he said.

Before Zelenskyy's address, Trudeau said more Russian government and military personnel were being slapped with sanctions.

"These new measures impose restrictions on 15 Russian officials who enabled and supported (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin’s choice to invade a peaceful and sovereign country," according to a release from Global Canada.

Zelenskyy spoke for about 35 minutes and during his introduction and conclusion, Canadian lawmakers gave a sustained standing ovation.

There are about 1.4 million Ukrainians or those of Ukrainian descent in Canada, the largest number of any country outside of Ukraine and Russia.

Zelenskyy is slated to address the US Congress on Wednesday. He spoke to the British House of Commons earlier in March.​​​​​​​