Victims of Nazi-Soviet Pact commemorated on Black Ribbon Day in Ottawa

Victims of Nazi-Soviet Pact were commemorated on Black Ribbon Day at a solemn event at Parliament Hill on August 26, 2025, in Ottawa. On 23^rd August 1939, a secret pact between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany was signed, by which the totalitarian regimes agreed on the division of spheres of influence in Europe. It also set the stage for the invasion and occupation of sovereign states across Europe and brought an unprecedent tragedy, destruction and suffering to the Baltic States, Poland and many other nations in Europe for years to come.

The commemoration event was organized by The Ottawa Black Ribbon Committee, opening remarks were offered by the representative of the Committee Andris Ķesteris,

representatives of the first nations in Canada, as well as by Indra Skuja-Grīslis, pastor of the Peace Latvian Ev. Lutheran Church in Ottawa, and Ukrainian Orthodox Priest father Taras Kinash. Representatives of Embassies of Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine and their community members were also present and delivered their remarks.

While remembering the victims of the totalitarian regimes in Europe, the participants of the commemoration event also voiced their strong support to Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggression.