London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2025

Ukraine war: Zelensky asks Canada's parliament to ‘Please close the sky'

Ukraine war: Zelensky asks Canada's parliament to ‘Please close the sky'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Canada to "do more" to protect his country from Russia in an address to a joint session of Canada's parliament.

Mr Zelensky received a lengthy standing ovation from parliamentarians in Ottawa and cheers of "glory to Ukraine".

The president thanked Canada for its continued support but renewed a plea for a no-fly zone over his country.

His speech follows fresh Canadian sanctions on Russian officials.

Speaking virtually from Ukraine to a packed crowd in the House of Commons to members of parliament, senators and dignitaries on Tuesday, Mr Zelensky thanked Canada - a "steadfast supporter" - for ongoing military and humanitarian assistance being offered to Ukraine.

But he called on them to do more, asking again for a no-fly zone to be imposed over Ukraine.

Invoking Canadian cities and landmarks - Vancouver, Edmonton, the CN Tower in Toronto - Mr Zelensky asked the assembled to imagine bombs dropping in Canada.

"I would like you to understand and I would like you to feel this," he said. "How many more cruise missiles have to fall on our cities until you make this [no-fly zone] happen?"

Canada and its Nato counterparts have refused to enforce a no-fly zone, saying it could pull the military alliance into a direct war with Russia. Asked about a no-fly zone on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Canada had not changed in its opposition to the tactic.

"We need to be sure we're not triggering an international conflict," she said.

Just hours before Mr Zelensky's morning address, Canada announced new penalties on 15 of Russian President Vladimir Putin's allies, follow nearly 500 sanctions from the Canadian government targeting individuals and companies from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus since the invasion into Ukraine began on 24 February.

On Tuesday, Mr Zelensky received an introduction by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who welcomed the president and applauded his bravery.

"You're defending the right of Ukrainians to choose their own future," Mr Trudeau said. "Democracies around the world are lucky to have you as our champion."

Canada has promised more than C$145m ($113m; £87m) in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine this year.

There are 1.4 million Ukrainian-Canadians, making up the world's second-largest Ukrainian diaspora outside of Russia.

The Russian foreign ministry said on Tuesday it had added Mr Trudeau as well as Ms Joly and Defence Minister Anita Anand to its so-called "black list", banning them from entering Russia.

Mr Zelensky has made several appeals to world leaders in an effort to boost support for Ukraine. Last week, he gave a virtual address to the UK House of Commons and he will deliver a speech to the United States Congress on Wednesday.


Watch: Zelensky addresses Canada's Parliament



Comments

Oh ya 4 year ago
Ya right. The Canadian military could not protect Vancouver Island let alone any else. And give the Nazi Zenensky a few days and he will be bad mouthing Canada for not do what his boss George Soros wants.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Abu Dhabi ‘Capital of Capital’: How Abu Dhabi Rose as a Sovereign Wealth Power
Diamonds Are Powering a New Quantum Revolution
Trump Threatens Strikes Against Iran if Nuclear Programme Is Restarted
Apple Escalates Legal Fight by Appealing £1.5 Billion UK Ruling Over App Store Fees
UK Debt Levels Sit Mid-Range Among Advanced Economies Despite Rising Pressures
UK Plans Royal Diplomacy with King Charles and Prince William to Reinvigorate Trade Talks with US
King Charles and Prince William Poised for Separate 2026 US Visits to Reinforce UK-US Trade and Diplomatic Ties
Apple Moves to Appeal UK Ruling Ordering £1.5 Billion in Customer Overcharge Damages
King Charles’s 2025 Christmas Message Tops UK Television Ratings on Christmas Day
The Battle Over the Internet Explodes: The United States Bars European Officials and Ignites a Diplomatic Crisis
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie Join Royal Family at Sandringham Christmas Service
Fine Wine Investors Find Little Cheer in Third Year of Falls
UK Mortgage Rates Edge Lower as Bank of England Base Rate Cut Filters Through Lending Market
U.S. Supermarket Gives Customers Free Groceries for Christmas After Computer Glitch
Air India ‘Finds’ a Plane That Vanished 13 Years Ago
Caviar and Foie Gras? China Is Becoming a Luxury Food Powerhouse
Hong Kong Climbs to Second Globally in 2025 Tourism Rankings Behind Bangkok
From Sunniest Year on Record to Terror Plots and Sports Triumphs: The UK’s Defining Stories of 2025
Greta Thunberg Released on Bail After Arrest at London Pro-Palestinian Demonstration
Banksy Unveils New Winter Mural in London Amid Festive Season Excitement
UK Households Face Rising Financial Strain as Tax Increases Bite and Growth Loses Momentum
UK Government Approves Universal Studios Theme Park in Bedford Poised to Rival Disneyland Paris
UK Gambling Shares Slide as Traders Respond to Steep Tax Rises and Sector Uncertainty
Starmer and Trump Coordinate on Ukraine Peace Efforts in Latest Diplomatic Call
The Pilot Barricaded Himself in the Cockpit and Refused to Take Off: "We Are Not Leaving Until I Receive My Salary"
UK Fashion Label LK Bennett Pursues Accelerated Sale Amid Financial Struggles
U.S. Government Warns UK Over Free Speech in Pro-Life Campaigner Prosecution
Newly Released Files Shed Light on Jeffrey Epstein’s Extensive Links to the United Kingdom
Prince William and Prince George Volunteer Together at UK Homelessness Charity
UK Police Arrest Protesters Chanting ‘Globalise the Intifada’ as Authorities Recalibrate Free Speech Enforcement
Scambodia: The World Owes Thailand’s Military a Profound Debt of Gratitude
Women in Partial Nudity — and Bill Clinton in a Dress and Heels: The Images Revealed in the “Epstein Files”
US Envoy Witkoff to Convene Security Advisers from Ukraine, UK, France and Germany in Miami as Peace Efforts Intensify
UK Retailers Report Sharp Pre-Christmas Sales Decline and Weak Outlook, CBI Survey Shows
UK Government Rejects Use of Frozen Russian Assets to Fund Aid for Ukraine
UK Financial Conduct Authority Opens Formal Investigation into WH Smith After Accounting Errors
UK Issues Final Ultimatum to Roman Abramovich Over £2.5bn Chelsea Sale Funds for Ukraine
Rare Pink Fog Sweeps Across Parts of the UK as Met Office Warns of Poor Visibility
UK Police Pledge ‘More Assertive’ Enforcement to Tackle Antisemitism at Protests
UK Police Warn They Will Arrest Protesters Chanting ‘Globalise the Intifada’
Trump Files $10 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC as Broadcaster Pledges Legal Defence
UK Says U.S. Tech Deal Talks Still Active Despite Washington’s Suspension of Prosperity Pact
UK Mortgage Rules to Give Greater Flexibility to Borrowers With Irregular Incomes
UK Treasury Moves to Position Britain as Leading Global Hub for Crypto Firms
U.S. Freezes £31 Billion Tech Prosperity Deal With Britain Amid Trade Dispute
Prince Harry and Meghan’s Potential UK Return Gains New Momentum Amid Security Review and Royal Dialogue
Zelensky Opens High-Stakes Peace Talks in Berlin with Trump Envoy and European Leaders
Historical Reflections on Press Freedom Emerge Amid Debate Over Trump’s Media Policies
UK Boosts Protection for Jewish Communities After Sydney Hanukkah Attack
UK Government Declines to Comment After ICC Prosecutor Alleges Britain Threatened to Defund Court Over Israel Arrest Warrant
×