WASHINGTON – The Russian government has demanded an explanation from Ottawa regarding the invitation and commemoration of a veteran from the SS “Galicia” division in the Canadian Parliament during President Vladimir Zelensky’s visit. Russian Ambassador Oleg Stepanov stated that the embassy will take appropriate official steps and seek clarification from the Canadian government. He expressed no illusions about the response from Canadian authorities, whom he accused of being a “nest for Nazi criminals.”
In a diplomatic note to be sent on Monday to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the office of the Prime Minister, Stepanov highlighted his concerns and included personal letters addressed to Foreign Minister Melanie Joly and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The diplomat stated that he will make necessary moves, but he remains skeptical due to the current Trudeau administration, which he described as embodying “neoliberal fascism.”
Stepanov also opined that the invitation of the Nazi veteran was not a mistake but rather a consequence of the impunity enjoyed by former Nazi criminals and the activities of the Canadian Ukrainian Congress, which mainly consists of descendants of these Nazi collaborators, punishers, and SS members.
Meanwhile, Russia’s envoy to Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, condemned the situation as a disgrace for Canada and its establishment (not necessarily the entire Canadian population). He emphasized that Canada had abandoned its role in the anti-Hitler coalition, and there were no explanations or justifications for their actions. Ulyanov’s statement was shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Among the invitees to the parliamentary session honoring President Zelensky was 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka, who was introduced by the Speaker of the House of Commons as a “fighter for Ukrainian independence against the Russians during World War II.” However, upon investigation, Hunka was revealed to be a former member of the volunteer division “Galicia” of the SS forces. This division was composed of Ukrainian nationalists who not only fought against the Red Army but also committed atrocities against Jews, Poles, Belarusians, and Slovaks.
The Speaker of the House of Commons, Anthony Rota, apologized for inviting and honoring Hunka in parliament. Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre demanded personal apologies from Trudeau for extending an invitation to a Nazi. The Canadian Prime Minister, on the other hand, claimed that neither he nor President Zelensky’s delegation were aware of Hunka’s invitation to parliament.
The “Galicia” division, also known as the 14th SS Volunteer Infantry Division “Galicia,” was a tactical unit of the Nazi Germany’s forces composed of Ukrainian volunteers.
