The Polish government is now seeking to extradite Ukrainian Nazi veteran Yaroslav Hunka after he was honored at a Canadian Parliament assembly, with Volovymyr Zelensky in attendance.
Przemysław Czarnek, Poland’s education minister, announced on X that he has “taken steps” to execute the extradition and potentially try the Waffen SS soldier for war crimes.
He posted on Tuesday: “In view of the scandalous events in the Canadian Parliament, which involved honouring, in the presence of President Zelenskyy, a member of the criminal Nazi SS Galizien formation, I have taken steps towards the possible extradition of this man to Poland.”
Amid growing calls for him to step down, Canadian Speaker Anthony Rota claimed full responsibility for both inviting Hunka and introducing him as a "Ukrainian" and "Canadian hero."
He stated, "I am deeply sorry I offended many with my gesture and remarks."
"This initiative was entirely my own. I want to really tell you that the intention was not to embarrass this House."
Rota has been requested to meet with the Bloc Québécois and other House leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday, CBC News reports.
While Trudeau gave Hunka a standing ovation, he seemingly pinned blame on "Russian propaganda" when cornered by reporters Monday:
"Russian disinformation and continue our steadfast and unequivocal support for Ukraine, as we did last week, with announcing further measures to stand with Ukraine in Russia's illegal war against it."
He clarified on his way to a cabinet meeting Tuesday: "As I said yesterday, this was deeply embarrassing for the House and for Canada. It is a good thing that Speaker Rota apologized personally and I'm sure he's reflecting now on how to ensure the dignity of the house going forward."
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
