OTTAWA—A defiant Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says his country is spilling blood in a fight for freedom as it forges closer ties with Europe in the face of Russia aggression.

With his nation locked in a bitter and violent conflict with Russia, Poroshenko arrived on Parliament Hill to a hero’s welcome Wednesday, thanking Canada for its support and vowing that Ukraine “will win this struggle.”

He said the ratification Tuesday of an agreement to deepen political and economic ties with the European Union was among the most important days in Ukraine’s history.

“That was the last farewell from Ukraine to the Soviet Union,” he said in a speech to Parliament.

“That was a Rubicon Ukraine crossed and we never, ever turn back to our awful past.”

Ukraine has been in Moscow’s crosshairs, starting with Russia’s annexation of Crimea earlier this year, followed by its active support of separatist rebels in the country’s eastern regions. NATO has said that several thousand Russian soldiers were fighting alongside the rebels on Ukrainian soil.

A ceasefire has so far succeeded in curbing hostilities but Poroshenko said his country has paid a “high price” defending its democracy and freedom and pushing back against Moscow’s influence.

“Now is the real fight for our independence. Today Ukraine is bleeding for its independence,” he said.

Poroshenko was visibly moved by the warm and enthusiastic reception as he stood at the podium in the House of Commons, waiting for the sustained applause from MPs, Senators and packed galleries of invited guests to end.

With some 1.2 million people of Ukrainian descent living in Canada, he quipped that he felt “very much at home.

“There is no other way to put it. Canada is a friend in need,” he said. “In the difficult time, all the time. You are with us.”

In his address in the Commons, Prime Minister Stephen Harper reiterated Canada’s backing of Ukraine in its fight with Russia.

“Canada recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, all of Ukraine. Whether it takes five months or 50 years to liberate it, we will never, ever recognize the illegal Russia occupation,” Harper said to applause.

“We cannot let Mr. Putin’s dark and dangerous actions stand, for they have global security implications.”

Canada has slapped sanctions on Russia, donated non-lethal military aid to Ukraine and dispatched Canadian fighter jets and a warship to the region to deter any further moves by Moscow.

On Wednesday, Harper announced a further $3 million in humanitarian aid to assist Ukrainians affected by the conflict.

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Noting Canada’s deep and lengthy ties to Ukraine, Harper said Ottawa’s backing of Ukraine is not just about international law.

“This is a matter of kinship, this is a matter of family, this family and we will stand by Ukraine,” he said.

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