Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologizes for an "embarrassing" incident where his government celebrated a Ukrainian veteran who fought for a Nazi unit during World War II. Trudeau expressed regret for the oversight and acknowledged the importance of remembering the victims of the Holocaust.
Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons, Anthony Rota, has resigned after facing criticism for praising a Ukrainian veteran who fought for a Nazi military unit during World War II. Rota's recognition of Yaroslav Hunka, who served in the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, caused outrage among human rights and Jewish organizations. Rota expressed regret for his error and accepted full responsibility for his actions. The incident has been deemed deeply embarrassing by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The 14th Waffen Grenadier Division was declared a criminal organization by the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg for committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the singling out of a Ukrainian veteran, Yaroslav Hunka, alleged to have fought for the Nazis during World War II, for a standing ovation during President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Canada. The speaker of Canada's parliament, Anthony Rota, apologized for the gaffe and expressed regret for recognizing Hunka, who served in the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS. Trudeau called the incident "deeply embarrassing" and unacceptable, while a Jewish advocacy group described it as "shocking" and "incredibly disturbing."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called the invitation of a Ukrainian man with Nazi ties to parliament "deeply embarrassing" for Canada. Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old veteran who fought for a Nazi unit in World War Two, received a standing ovation during a visit by Ukraine's president. House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota, who invited Hunka, has apologized and faces calls to resign. Trudeau expressed his upset over the incident and emphasized the need to push back against Russian disinformation regarding Ukraine. The decision to honor Hunka has drawn criticism from Poland's ambassador and Jewish groups, while the Kremlin called it "outrageous."
The speaker of Canada's House of Commons, Anthony Rota, has apologized for praising a 98-year-old Ukrainian veteran, Yaroslav Hunka, who fought for a Nazi unit. Hunka, a former member of the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, received standing ovations during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to the Canadian parliament. Jewish human rights groups expressed concern, as Hunka's military unit was implicated in the mass murder of Jews and others. Rota issued an official apology, taking full responsibility for admitting and praising the veteran, while the opposition called for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to apologize and investigate. The 14th Waffen-SS Grenadier Division, also known as the Galicia Division, was a voluntary unit made up mostly of ethnic Ukrainians under Nazi command.
The speaker of Canada's House of Commons, Anthony Rota, has apologized for praising a 98-year-old Ukrainian veteran, Yaroslav Hunka, who fought for a Nazi military unit during World War II. Rota expressed regret for recognizing Hunka, who received a standing ovation from lawmakers after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's address to the Canadian parliament. Rota apologized to Jewish communities and accepted full responsibility for his actions, stating that neither the prime minister's office nor the Ukrainian delegation were informed about the invitation or recognition. The First Ukrainian Division, in which Hunka served, was responsible for the mass murder of innocent civilians. Jewish organizations and human rights groups have condemned the recognition of a former member of a Nazi unit in the Canadian parliament.