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When Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko visited Ottawa in September, he had a real tête-à-tête with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, no aides or translators. Harper then told everyone that Canada will stay standing against Russia.

It’s easier to trade with Russia and pretend nothing’s happening. It’s far away. So it is a very serious step for Canada to set an example for the rest of the world that we have to care; that we have to show Russia that what it’s doing is wrong.

Q. You chided Harper in July for months of delays in delivering aid.

A. I don’t want to make your government’s life harder, and I’ve heard rumours that another package is on the way. You’re right, it’s taken too long, but that’s the nature of bureaucracy in a peaceful nation: you have procedures.

But being at war, people are dying. We’re thankful for your help but you have to be sure people will be alive to receive the help. So when I was told there are procedures, clauses, lawyers working on it, I said: “Seriously? We know that you’re helping, can you please do it a bit faster? Look at CNN or BBC; people are dying right now.”

I’m sure people will think I’m now being diplomatic, but I do appreciate all the help Canada has given.

Q. Do you fear an even larger invasion from Russia?

A. Russia’s still advancing and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is as tough as he’s ever been. He’s reminding people he has nuclear arms.

You have to remember that Ukraine held most of the Soviet Union’s nuclear weapons. Then we gave them away to Russia when we signed the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. It said Russia and the U.S. would respect the integrity of Ukraine.