Foreign Minister Melanie Jolyy said the attendance of Canadian diplomats at the reception of the Russian Embassy in Ottawa on June 10 was “unacceptable.”
“Canadian representatives should not have attended the event held at the Russian Embassy, and Canadian representatives will not attend this type of event again,” she said. Twitter post June 12.
“Canada continues to work with Ukraine while fighting Russia’s terrible aggression.”
Jolly was reacting to Talk Published in The Globe and Mail on June 12, Yasemin Heinbecker, Deputy Commissioner for the Protocol of Global Affairs Canada (GAC), stated that he attended the Russian Day celebration held at the Embassy on June 10. ..
Russia Day is a national holiday and one of the first steps towards the official dissolution of the Soviet Union, June 12, 1990, when Soviet leaders signed a declaration of Russian national sovereignty. indicate.
Marked 80 on June 12th of this yearth Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Russia.
Twitter account of the Russian embassy I got it The reception was attended by Canadian media and GAC on June 11th.
Grove reported other guests of attendees representing Egypt, Pakistan and African countries.
Before Jolly criticized Canadian officials for appearing at the event, media relations in her department defended Canada’s attendance at the festival, citing the need to maintain diplomatic relations, according to the Globe Report. was doing.
The Epoch Times contacted GAC for comment, but did not receive an immediate reply.
Globe reported a Russian diplomat who said Hibecker praised “in honor of our reception.”
“We believe that diplomacy is an all-weather instrument and that diplomatic protocols are an important part of maintaining bilateral communication,” said Vladimir Proskryakov, Deputy Chief of the Russian Mission.
The Canadian government has been very critical of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has imposed numerous sanctions on Moscow and provided support to Kyiv.
Last week, GAC announced new sanctions on Russia’s oil, gas and chemical industries.
“These measures will reduce Russia’s ability to carry out war and send a clear message to the Russian government. Canada will not retreat to seek clarification from the person responsible for the devastation of Ukraine,” he said. .. To tell June 8 GAC statement.
In response to the news, Conservative Interim Party Leader Candice Bergen of her party position Russian diplomats should have been expelled from Canada.
“Instead of supporting the Kremlin-sponsored luxury celebrations at the Russian embassy, the free government has decided to prevent Putin’s illegal war from causing the global food crisis that most hurt developing countries, Egypt and Pakistan. We should work with countries such as Africa, “she told the Epoch Times on June 13 in an email.
Ukraine’s Parliament of Canada (UCC) also said Russian diplomats should be expelled, calling Canadian officials attending Russia Day “very uncomfortable.”
On June 13, UCC CEO and Executive Director Ihor Michalchyshyn said: statement..
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Noé Charter is a Montreal-based Epoch Times reporter. Twitter: @NChartierET Gettr: @nchartieret