The Russian ambassador to Canada, Oleg Stepanov, stated that he had delivered a formal note of protest in response to the ceremony at Canada’s Parliament honoring Yaroslav Hunka, an elderly veteran who served in the SS Galicia division, during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit. Stepanov noted that there had been no reply from Canadian officials as of the latest statements. This development comes as tensions over wartime memories and historical symbols continue to provoke diplomatic friction between Moscow and Ottawa, amid broader international debate about how to portray World War II figures tied to Nazism in contemporary politics. Attribution: TASS and independent reporting.
In Canada, Speaker of the House Anthony Rota publicly apologized for inviting Hunka, a member of the Galicia division who fought during World War II, to attend the parliamentary session. The apology followed a wave of criticism from political figures and international observers who argued that honoring such figures risks glorifying past Nazi affiliations. Rota’s decision to issue the apology was framed as an attempt to restore decorum and avoid further controversy within the chamber, while underscoring the sensitivity of WWII-era symbols in current Canadian politics. Attribution: Canadian parliamentary press services and multiple outlets.
During Zelensky’s address to the Canadian Parliament, the Ukrainian president highlighted Hunka in a way that drew praise from some listeners and condemnation from others. Zelensky acknowledged Hunka as a former member of the Galicia division and described him as part of Ukraine’s wartime history. A photograph from Zelensky’s speech showed the Ukrainian leader standing beside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, with Hunka present in Parliament. The image circulated widely, fueling ongoing debate about the legacy of alliances formed during the war and their relevance to today’s geopolitical landscape. Attribution: international news agencies and image captions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to the episode by denouncing Zelensky’s handling of the matter and asserting that Zelensky was concealing a form of glorification of Nazism in Ukraine. Putin’s remarks reflected Moscow’s ongoing narrative that Kyiv has normalized extremist symbols, a position repeatedly voiced by Russian officials in the context of the broader war and information warfare surrounding it. Attribution: Kremlin statements and Reuters coverage.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian parliament, historically known as the Verkhovna Rada, has pursued measures that address the language and terminology surrounding wartime memory and ethnic tensions. In past years, lawmakers introduced terms and phrases intended to clarify discussions on racism and related topics, shaping how historical narratives are discussed within official channels. This evolving discourse illustrates the fragile balance Ukraine seeks between honoring its veterans and avoiding the romanticization of controversial military units. Attribution: Ukrainian legislative records and contemporaneous reporting.