Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued the following statement today on the occasion of Ukrainian Independence Day: "Today we celebrate Ukraine's Independence Day.

On this day in 1991, Ukraine declared its independence as a nation.

Today, after 31 years, Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom in the face of Russia's illegal and unjustified invasion of their country.

Despite Russia’s brutality, Ukrainians have been valiant in their courage and defense of their homeland.

We have all seen the powerful images: pictures of ordinary people protecting their country, images of volunteers bringing food and aid to communities, and images of Ukrainian Canadians sending support to the motherland.

“Ukrainians are not only defending their country but they are defending the values of freedom and democracy that we cherish here in Canada and in many places around the world.

We must continue to work with our allies and partners to provide our steadfast support to the Ukrainian people.

Canada has provided unprecedented support, including economic assistance, military equipment, and training to members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as part of Operation UNIFIER.

We also help Ukrainians fleeing violence to find safety in Canada and work with partners to provide them with the services and support they need, such as language training and school registration assistance, when they arrive in our communities.

“The relationship between Canada and Ukraine is historic, spanning generations of relationships between peoples.

Nearly 1.4 million people of Ukrainian origin live in Canada today – the second largest Ukrainian community in the world.

Canada was also the first Western country to recognize Ukraine’s independence, and we have worked alongside the people of Ukraine to help build a safe, democratic, and prosperous country ever since.

The ties that bind our peoples cannot be broken.

On this Ukrainian Independence Day, I feel sadness that today cannot be a moment to celebrate, but it can be a moment of pride: for the country built by its children, for the people who bravely defend it, and for the values we cherish.

Tonight, Parliament buildings will be illuminated in blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian flag, to tell the people of Ukraine: You are not alone.

Canadians stand with you, and fate will smile upon you again.