http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/harper-arrives-in-kiev-as-first-g7-leader-to-stand-beside-new-regime-in-ukraine/article17626425/
Globe and Mail
22Mar2014
Globe in Kiev: Russia's Crimea takeover will spark arms buildup, says Harper in Kiev
STEVEN CHASE
Stephen Harper used a visit to Ukraine Saturday to accuse Russian President Vladimir Putin of returning international relations to "the law of the jungle" and to warn that Moscow's seizure of Crimea will trigger an arms buildup around the world.
Mr. Harper's brief trip to Kiev Saturday makes him the first Group of Seven leader to visit Ukraine since the crisis here began.
He met with Ukraine Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and stood shoulder to shoulder with the Eastern European official to take a stand against Moscow's aggression.
In a public statement while standing beside Mr. Yatsenyuk Mr. Harper charged that Mr. Putin has violated the 1994 Budapest memorandum where Russia agreed to respect Ukraine's borders. Ukraine relinquished its share of the Soviet nuclear arsenal in the 1990s with the understanding it would be afforded protection from aggression.
He said Russia's takeover of Crimea "will be felt far beyond the borders of Ukraine or even the European continent itself."
He said Putin's move could drive other country's leaders to gird themselves against potential threats.
"By his open repudiation of the Budapest Memorandum, President Putin has undermined international confidence in the protection afforded by such agreements," Mr. Harper said.
"Ukraine relinquished. the nuclear weapons it inherited from the former Soviet Union on the basis of an explicit Russian guarantee of its territorial integrity," the prime minister said.
"By breaching that guarantee, President Putin has provided a rationale for those elsewhere who needed little more encouragement than that already furnished by pride or grievance to arm themselves to the teeth."
The Canadian Leader made sure to mention the huge Ukrainian diaspora in Canada at the start of his public statement.
Mr. Harper presented Mr. Yatsenyuk with the Ukrainian flag that was flown on Canada's Parliament Hill in early March.
"Prime Minister, I bring you greetings from all Canadians including, but certainly not limited to more than one million Canadians of Ukrainian heritage," Mr. Harper said.
"The third largest Ukrainian population in the entire world."
He told Ukrainians that Canada holds their cause dear.
"In the name of all of Canada, I can tell you we are carrying your country in our thoughts and prayers."
Standing on Russia's doorstep, Mr. Harper praised Ukraine for standing up to its former pro-Russian president.
It is an honour to stand here with you here in Kiev," Mr. Harper said.
"In recent months, the whole world has witnessed the courage of the Ukrainian people," he said.
"You pushed back a regime that pointed its guns at its own population and who killed yours people," Mr. Harper said.
Through such dark days, you have provided inspiration and a new chapter in humanity’s ongoing story of the struggle for freedom, democracy and justice."
The Canadian prime minister promised Ukraine that Canada will stand with it in the face of Crimea's annexation by Russia.
"Now, you face an even-greater test," Mr. Harper said.
"To help the Ukrainian people peacefully secure a bright future of freedom, we shall spare no effort," the prime minister said.
"This courageous people deserves no less."
Mr. Harper ended his statement by saying "Glory to the Ukraine," a rallying cry used by protestors in Kiev as they demonstrated against the government of now ousted president Victor Yanukovych.
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