With the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 by the use of Russian-made Tor missiles, Canada and Ukraine have been forced to mutually suffer the travails of a human tragedy. As they experience the anger and unjust loss of their citizens, they are not only compelled to grieve together as a family but to demand the establishment of an international-based search for the truth as to how and why this catastrophe occurred.
This tragedy must unite and further deepen the deep historic relationship between these two countries as they both, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stated, pursue “justice” by way of “transparency.”
The immediate reaction in Ukraine to the shooting down of its airliner by Iran’s military gave cause to a fundamental change of attitude in Ukrainian society. Long exposed to lies, self-serving political intrigue and machination, the dissemination of conspiracy theories, and irresponsible speculation, public debate has illustrated an increasing expectation. As Canadians assume, Ukrainians now insist and expect the truth, demanding respect for their sensibilities as citizens of an emerging democracy and sovereign state.
From the first moment, there was an uncompromising demand for access to the downed airliner’s black boxes and the information contained within them, along with the right to send investigators to Iran to participate in the investigation. There was to be no doubt in the minds of Ukraine’s leadership that the public would not compromise on their demand for accurate information, accountability and the assessing of political responsibility both at home and abroad.
Furthermore, there is an uncompromising sentiment that the process of investigation must be devoid of any politicization in addition to its transcending geopolitical considerations. Though there always is a temptation to consider Ukraine as a pawn in the geopolitical game between the United States and Russia, to Ukrainians, this incident is seen as an affront to its sovereignty.
Ukrainian demands of Iran have taken the form of asserting their sovereign rights as an aggrieved nation and believing that these rights will only be shown to be respected with the establishment of an international commission that would ensure that the truth would be found out and not covered up.
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s public responses to date have largely reflected these domestic sentiments.
In the international arena, but especially in regards to Ukraine’s relationship with Canada, Zelensky’s continued uncompromising assertion of Ukraine’s legal rights and demand for the application of international law, especially in regard to the information contained in the black boxes and to ensuring that a proper investigation be carried out in an international forum, will only further solidify the trusted relationship between itself and Canada.
Recognizing that Canada does not have diplomatic relations with Iran, Ukraine, in so doing, would be acting as an appreciative and reliable partner which would both enhance its credibility and illustrate that its relationship is not one-sided, while, at the same time, further strengthen ties with its Western allies.
In this way, Ukraine will also show that it has made a decisive choice to be a member and faithful participant in the Western-based world order. This exercise of its resolve will make Ukraine a more intimate member of the democratic family, a choice which the citizens of Ukraine desire. At the same time, it will reaffirm its commitment to a set of values that include fealty to searching for the truth and acting upon it, to demand transparency, to expect accountability and see the imposition of responsibility according to the norms of international law in the pursuit of justice.
With Canada’s historically proven and well-articulated support of Ukraine, from being one of the first countries to recognize its sovereign independence, its commitment to building Ukraine’s civil society, in the establishment of trade relations, its support of Ukraine in its war with Russia by providing equipment and training, Canada has proven that it is a good friend to Ukraine. In so doing, Canada should be able to rely upon Ukraine’s support and co-operation as they both seek justice in the matter of the downing of PS 752. Canada has earned it.
In the context of this tragedy, Zelensky faces a significant test as to his leadership bona fides as leader of an emerging Western orientated democracy in the eyes of Canada and of its Western allies. He will, and should be, challenged to answer the following questions: will he continue to demand a facts-based internationally led process to investigate the downing of his country’s airliner?
To what extent will he aid and cooperate with Canada, a trusted and faithful ally, in seeking justice? Is he committed, along with his country, to seek the truth and not compromise this pursuit in the face of potential international and domestic pressure? And perhaps most importantly, will he show himself as a leader who is willing to lead his country into an order that is defined by a facts-based reality and the pursuit of justice, rather than succumb to informational malfeasance and irresponsible conspiracy theories whose aim is to cast doubt on the truth? Canada has earned the right to ask these questions of Ukraine’s president.
