Canadians sympathize with Ukraine but do not want to see the country's troops or air crew in combat, according in-house federal research. “Few felt the conflict would end soon with many reiterating concerns regarding the potential escalation into a larger conflict and the possible deployment of nuclear weapons by Russia,” said a Privy Council Office report..According to Blacklock's Reporter, Canadians felt sorry for Ukraine and thought Parliament should do everything it could to help short of military intervention. “While participants reiterated a desire for Canada to assist in any way it could, most remained hesitant about the Canadian Armed Forces or NATO taking a more direct role in defending Ukraine, expressing concern this could escalate the conflict further and potentially put Canadian lives at risk,” said the report Continuous Qualitative Data Collection Of Canadians’ Views..Findings were based on focus group interviews nationwide. The Privy Council commissioned the research under an ongoing $2.4 million contract with The Strategic Counsel..Respondents including those opposed to direct Canadian military intervention acknowledged Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine could lead to a wider war. “A number of participants shared concerns that if nothing was done to halt Russia’s advance into Ukraine it was possible that other neighbouring countries could also fall under attack,” wrote staff..“Participants were asked if they were aware of any specific actions Ukraine had requested of the Government of Canada in recent days,” said Canadians’ Views. “A wide range of responses were offered including calls for NATO to implement a no-fly zone above Ukraine, requests for additional financial assistance and military support as well as stricter sanctions on Russian individuals and entities. Almost all participants felt these requests, while possibly placing the Government of Canada in a difficult situation, were understandable given the devastation the Ukrainian people had suffered.”.Focus group interviews were conducted in the period from last March 3 to 30th. The research coincided with a March 15 address to Parliament by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “Imagine your children hearing the bombing of the Ottawa airport and in other cities of your wonderful country,” Zelensky told MPs. “Can you imagine that?”.“Can you imagine the famous CN Tower in Toronto being hit by Russian bombs? I don’t wish this on anyone, but this is our reality,” he said..“Imagine someone laying siege to Vancouver,” said Zelensky. “Can you imagine that for a moment? All these people are trapped. This is exactly the situation our port of Mariupol is suffering right now. They have no heat, no electricity or means of communication. They are running short of food and water.”.“Our cities like Kharkiv, Mariupol and many other cities are not protected like your cities are protected – Edmonton, Vancouver. You can see Kyiv is being bombed and shelled,” he said..“Can you imagine a fire at a nuclear power plant? That is exactly what happened in our country,” said Zelensky. .“I know you all support Ukraine,” said Zelensky, adding: “We want to live and we want to win.” Canadian aid to Ukraine totals $3.1 billion, by official estimate, comprised mainly of $1.95 billion in federal loans and $626 million in military assistance.
