Minister, the first thing Prime Minister Harper said to Vladimir Putin following Russia's invasion of Crimea was, "You need to get out of Ukraine.'' In stark contrast, Prime Minister Trudeau's first words to Putin were: "You might have noticed that we, uh, Canada has changed its approach on a broad range of issues ....'' The Trudeau government's policy on Russia's illegal occupation of Ukraine is weak and incoherent.

Minister, I am 1 of 1.3 million Canadians of Ukrainian heritage who want our Canadian government to stand up for Ukraine. We were concerned and dismayed when you recently indicated your willingness to re-engage with Russia. All Canadians want to know what is the Trudeau government doing to ensure that Russia gets out of Ukraine now.

Hon. Stéphane Dion, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs: Dear senator, I was in Ukraine recently and the government of Ukraine had only positive remarks about the new Government of Canada and what we are doing to support Ukraine. They were not concerned by the fact that we will say that directly to Russia.

I want to ask you what the world would be if other countries were following the path of the former Canadian government. Do you think it would make sense that Senator Kerry and President Obama would never speak to the Russians? What kind of world would it create?

All of a sudden we understand it doesn't make sense. At the worst time of the world war we weren't talking with the USSR. It doesn't make sense to stop the dialogue or communications. It would be wrong.

If it's wrong for the United States, I suggest it's wrong for Canada. Canada must engage Russia. Canada must say how much we disagree with what Russia is doing in Ukraine. This is in the interests of Ukraine and in the tradition of sound political diplomacy from the Government of Canada. We will return to sound diplomacy. The approach of the former government was far too irrational and ideological.