The Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, Anthony Rota, resigned on Thursday after being criticized for celebrating a Ukrainian veteran who fought for a Nazi unit in World War II.
Rota had posted a photo on social media of himself meeting with Roman Shukhevych, the commander of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a nationalist group that collaborated with the Nazis during World War II. The UPA was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Poles, Jews, and other civilians.
Rota’s post sparked outrage, with many people calling for him to resign. He apologized for the post, but the damage had already been done. On Thursday, he announced that he was stepping down as Speaker of the House.
Rota’s resignation is a major blow to the Canadian government. He was a respected MP and had served as Speaker since 2019. His resignation is also a sign of the growing divisions in Canada over its history and identity.
The UPA is a controversial figure in Ukrainian history. Some Ukrainians see the UPA as a heroic resistance movement that fought against both the Nazis and the Soviets. Others see the UPA as a collaborationist group that was responsible for war crimes.
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The debate over the UPA is particularly sensitive in Canada, which is home to a large Ukrainian diaspora. The Canadian government has officially recognized the UPA as a terrorist organization, but many Canadians of Ukrainian descent continue to celebrate the group.
Rota’s resignation is likely to further inflame the debate over the UPA. It is also likely to lead to calls for the Canadian government to do more to educate the public about the UPA’s history and its role in World War II.
In addition to the historical debate over the UPA, Rota’s resignation also raises important questions about the role of social media in politics. Rota’s post about Shukhevych was widely shared on social media, and it sparked a heated debate. The post also led to Rota being criticized by his own party, the Liberal Party of Canada.
The incident is a reminder of the power of social media to shape public opinion. It is also a reminder of the importance of politicians being careful about what they post on social media.
The UPA’s role in World War II
The UPA was formed in 1942 by Ukrainian nationalists who were opposed to both the Nazis and the Soviets. The UPA fought against both sides during the war, but it collaborated with the Nazis in some areas.
The UPA was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Poles, Jews, and other civilians. In 1943, the UPA carried out a massacre of Polish civilians in the village of Volhynia. The massacre was part of a campaign of ethnic cleansing by the UPA against the Polish population of Ukraine.
The UPA also collaborated with the Nazis in the deportation of Jews to death camps. The UPA provided the Nazis with information about the location of Jewish communities in Ukraine.
The UPA’s collaboration with the Nazis is a stain on its legacy. It is important to remember that the UPA was a complex organization with a mixed record. However, it is also important to remember that the UPA was responsible for war crimes.
The debate over the UPA in Canada
The debate over the UPA is particularly sensitive in Canada, which is home to a large Ukrainian diaspora. The Canadian government has officially recognized the UPA as a terrorist organization, but many Canadians of Ukrainian descent continue to celebrate the group.
The Canadian government’s position on the UPA has been criticized by some Ukrainians, who argue that the government is whitewashing the history of the group. They also argue that the government is ignoring the suffering of Ukrainians during World War II.
The debate over the UPA is likely to continue for many years to come. It is a complex issue with no easy answers. However, it is important to have a frank and open discussion about the UPA’s role in World War II.