Halifax International Security Forum: Former president of Ukraine says only victory will bring peace to his country
A former president of Ukraine delivered an uncompromising message on Sunday about the prospects for a negotiated peace with Russia during a security conference in Halifax.
Petro Poroshenko warned the Halifax International Security Forum that Russian President Vladimir Putin can't be trusted to negotiate a deal.
Poroshenko, who was president from 2014-2019, said Russia had reneged on security guarantees given in deals signed between the two countries in 1994, 1997 and 2015.
He said the agreements ultimately didn't save Ukraine from Russia's armed invasion of his country on Feb. 24.
"What is the conclusion? Don't trust Putin," said Poroshenko. "Putin understands only one thing: strength and our (Ukraine's) unity."
The ex-president noted that there has been talk in some Western countries lately of the need for negotiations, but he had a facetious answer for his audience of political and military experts.
"It (negotiation) is already going on and we have a very well prepared and very professional negotiator which is supported by you and the whole world," Poroshenko said. "Do you know the name of this negotiator? Armed Forces of Ukraine."
He said Ukraine would continue to need financial help from countries such as the United States to win the war, otherwise he said the costs would be much higher in battling the global instability that would follow a potential defeat.
Poroshenko also assured the forum that political leaders in Ukraine are united.
"Before the 24th of February I was the leader of the opposition, now we are united in our opposition (to Russia) until our victory," he said.
Poroshenko spoke as the war took another ominous turn, with reports of renewed shelling near Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant - the largest such facility in Europe.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said there were reports of more than a dozen blasts within a short period of time on Sunday morning.
Russia has also been targeting Ukraine's power grid and other key infrastructure in missile attacks over the last week, causing widespread blackouts for millions as frigid winter weather sets in around Kyiv and other cities.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 20, 2022.
With files from the Associated Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.