Canada must work for Peace in Ukraine – AUUC

The Association of United Ukrainian Canadians has issued the following statement and sent it to Canadian Members of Parliament and Senators.

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AUUC Statement on Ukraine

February 24, 2026

As we approach the end of the 4th year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians (AUUC), wishes to reaffirm our support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. As an organization formed by Ukrainian immigrants to Canada, we are greatly concerned with the destruction and loss of life perpetrated by this unnecessary war.

In keeping with our organization’s historical and ongoing commitment to championing peace, we continue to condemn Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine’s sovereign territory in 2022, an act which sparked the all-out war that continues to this day. We acknowledge Ukraine’s right to defend itself from this invasion, but we also acknowledge the severe destruction and loss of life that is perpetuated as Russia’s war continues. A resolution to the conflict must be found — one that will allow the Ukrainian people to preserve their identity, and to determine their own future and independence.

As the people of Ukraine live through the hardship of war and displacement, the AUUC continues to recognize their right to sovereignty, freedom and self-determination, and we call for the war to end in a way that supports these rights.

The Call for Peace

The AUUC has always believed in peaceful resolution of conflicts and in this context we hope for a swift end to the war. As the war continues, the resulting damage will take generations to reconcile. If Ukraine is to survive and maintain independence, an end to the conflict must be achieved as soon as possible. Already, the people of Ukraine face life-altering injuries, trauma, and the loss of much of their population; when the hostilities end, they will face the difficult task of rebuilding their economy, infrastructure, and culture. We believe that there must be an end to the war and violence as soon as possible in order to preserve the lives of innocent people, and in order to remove the ongoing threats to Ukraine’s independence, individuality, and culture.

For these reasons, the AUUC urges the Canadian Government to work in its traditional role as a conciliator in world conflicts and work towards ending the violence and finding an avenue to achieve a fair and lasting peace. We likewise call on world leaders and international powers across the globe to work to support an ongoing pathway to peace that will save lives and preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty. In today’s global climate, we invite everyone who cares about Ukraine to join us in support of peace in Ukraine. In addition, we continue to urge that any peace terms take into account the Ukrainian people’s wishes for a fair and just resolution.

Ways the AUUC Supports Ukraine

Throughout the AUUC’s more than 100-year history, we have maintained connections with Ukraine and our Ukrainian heritage, supporting the country and its people in many ways. We will continue to support the Ukrainian people in whatever ways we can. As one of the first Canadian organizations to formally acknowledge and congratulate Ukraine on its Declaration of Independence in 1991, Ukraine’s continued well-being is and will always be of great importance to us.

Over the years, our organization has participated in various humanitarian initiatives to help Ukrainian citizens and families. Some of these initiatives include:

• sending financial support to help cancer patients following the Chernobyl disaster
• helping support children orphaned by the 2014 conflict in Donbas
• welcoming students to Canada who lost parents during the Maidan uprising

Since 2022 our branches have worked both independently and within the broader Ukrainian community on fundraising events for Ukraine. Our cultural groups have performed at countless fundraisers in support of Ukraine both at AUUC sponsored events and those sponsored by other organizations.

• raising and donating tens of thousands of dollars to medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
• sending much needed medications to hospitals,
• helping finance transportation of supplies needed throughout the country,
• sending heating supplies during losses of fuel and electricity
• supporting children’s mental health treatments

For those Ukrainians displaced by the war who have come to Canada, the AUUC has helped by

• providing information on where and how to access support,
• offered cultural groups access to our facilities for them to continue growing their Ukrainian culture,
• hosted events by groups that provide support to the immigrant community.

We will continue to offer these supports to the Ukrainian community both in Ukraine and in Canada throughout the current conflict and will stand alongside all who are affected by the war once peace arrives and rebuilding can begin.

National Committee of the AUUC