Canada, as it turns out, has no intentions of pushing Ukraine to conduct an election amidst wartime. Instead, the North American nation has turned its gaze towards more extensive democratic undertakings.
A high-ranking official from Global Affairs Canada, entrusted with matters relating to Europe, apprised the Senate committee of Ottawa’s commitment to aiding the battle against corruption and fostering active involvement of civil society. Alexandre Leveque conveyed that the subject of conducting elections would not be broached by Ottawa should Kyiv choose to forgo the idea. He astutely mentioned that the concept of democracy far extends beyond just ballot casting.
Ever since the proclamation of Ukraine’s independence in 1991, Canada has held a considerable role in supervising the Eastern European nation’s elections. The Ukrainian constitution stipulates a forthcoming election next spring. Nonetheless, it clearly states that elections cannot be held during martial law.
During his most recent visit to Ottawa, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed the intricate logistical challenges associated with organizing elections, particularly in circumstances where entire territories are under Russian occupation and the looming threat of bomb attacks at polling centers is ever-present.
Canadian authorities “are observing and are perturbed” by signs of resistance to Ukraine’s support emanating from the neighbouring nations and Washington, according to Leveque.
Leveque’s testimony before the Senate’s foreign-affairs committee on Wednesday was succinct and impactful. The words and deeds exerted during an electoral campaign, in conjunction with a NATO ally, could often bear stark differences. Canada, Leveque stated, has joined nations in pledging long-term commitments that are challenging to retract.
Slovakia, having recently elected a government that championed reduced support for Ukraine as part of its platform, while Poland, amidst an election, has decreased arms exports following farmer grievances about underpriced Ukrainian crops impacting their trade.
In the United States, whispers within the Republican Party are advocating the withdrawal of support for Ukraine. Leveque stressed the importance of sustained Canadian and international efforts considering Russia’s reliance on the fatigue of Ukraine’s allies.
He also brought attention to the remarkable unity among allies and friendly nations to channel change in a specific historical direction.
Leveque cleverly sidestepped a question regarding whether Canada has ever contemplated linking its foreign aid to impoverished nations with their stance on Ukraine or Russia. Rather, he acknowledged that aid allotment by Canada is driven by necessity.
He further highlighted Canada’s proficiency in identifying countries that undermine sanctions on Russia either by substituting western nations for exports or routing goods through transit points. Recognizing the legal limitations on imposing third-party sanctions, Leveque affirmed Canada’s attempts to collaborate with developing countries like Indonesia, Brazil, and Turkey. Such cooperation aspires to inform peer nations about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine’s global implications: financial escalations and reduced stability.