[Editor’s Note: This Commentary is from Dr. Pagtakhan’s column, Medisina at Politika, published also in Pilipino Express.]
June 16, 2025, Winnipeg — On Tuesday June 10th, I received from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) based in Winnipeg an e-mail – from where I have copied the above photo image – which calls on the support of G7 nations (namely: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, and the United States of America) as their Leaders gathered for their scheduled summit, hosted by Canada, on June 15-17 in Kananaskis, Alberta.
The UCC has asked for “A Just Peace in Ukraine.” Specifically, it has asked, among other things, for:
- Substantial increase in weapons and ammunition deliveries to Ukraine;
- Continued provision of economic and financial support;
- Substantial increase in sanctions on Russia and application of secondary sanctions to countries doing business with Russia;
- Seizure of the $300 billion in Russian assets held in Western institutions and transfer of these funds to Ukraine for its defence and reconstruction; and
- An international tribunal that will hold Russia accountable for the war.
Recall that without any provocation, Russia invaded Ukraine on February 22, 2022 – yes, Putin’s unprovoked war on Ukraine is now three years in the making. Most certainly against international law! Most certainly based on one goal: Putin’s ambition for personal power, not for principle, not even for ideology. Most certainly a war against humanity.
It is laudable that Canada has repeatedly shown and given expressed her full support for Ukraine and her people. Glad to watch throughout this period of war that Britain and the European Union have been pillars of unceasing commitment and vital support. Great to see that the USA under President Biden had given full support, militarily in terms of ammunitions and intelligence, and in humanitarian and economic aid ‘for as long as it takes.’
Sadly, however, USA has in more recent times under President Trump equivocated on USA’s support and, at times, has abetted, unwittingly perhaps, Putin’s unbridled aggression and continuing occupation of parts of sovereign Ukraine. Many a time it had appeared that way.
Hopefully, USA would have seized this year’s G7 Summit as the opportunity to once more unequivocally side with Ukraine and her long suffering people.
Hopefully, President Trump would have realized by now that Putin is not really interested in a ceasefire.
Hopefully, the G7 Summit would have re-affirmed their collective support of Ukraine’s cause, with USA joined in any joint statement issued following the Summit.
Meanwhile, our Canadian Filipino community lends its support to UCC’s rally for “A Just Peace in Ukraine in All Its Aspects.” Indeed, this is a cry of humanity.
Editor's note: Dr. Rey D. Pagtakhan, P.C., O.M., LL.D., Sc.D., M.D. M.Sc. is a retired lung specialist, professor of child health, and former MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, and cabinet minister. He graduated from the University of the Philippines, did postgraduate training and studies at the Children’s Hospitals of Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, and spent a sabbatical year as Visiting Professor at the University of Arizona Medical Center. He is the author of articles and chapters in medical journals and textbooks and columnist for community newsmagazines. Widely lectured in Canada and abroad, he spoke in June 2003 on “The Global Threat of New Infectious Diseases” at the G-8 Science Ministers/Advisors Carnegie Group Meeting in Berlin. He volunteers on the Advisory Council of Immigration Partnership Winnipeg and the Board of St. Paul’s College Foundation at the University of Manitoba.
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