Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko will visit Canada and address Parliament next week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Thursday night.
Harper made the announcement at a fundraising dinner in Toronto, hosted by the Canada Ukraine Foundation.
In his remarks, Harper reaffirmed Canada鈥檚 support for Ukraine. He also blasted Russian President Vladimir Putin for his country鈥檚 aggression in eastern Ukraine.
Poroshenko will make his first official visit to Canada next Wednesday, the Prime Minister鈥檚 Office said in a statement.
鈥淭his visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss the ongoing situation in Ukraine, with a particular focus on the steps required to restore Ukraine鈥檚 territorial integrity, as well as ensure its sovereignty in the face of the Putin regime鈥檚 illegal occupation of Ukraine鈥檚 Crimea Peninsula and its military aggression in eastern Ukraine,鈥� the PMO said.
Poroshenko, a candy tycoon, won the Ukrainian presidential election in May. Harper said Canada will once again send observers to Ukraine for the country鈥檚 Oct. 26 parliamentary elections.
Conservative MPs James Bezan and Ted Opitz also attended Thursday night鈥檚 event, along with hockey great Wayne Gretzky, who has Ukrainian ancestry.
