Billboard welcomes Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to Calgary as he attends G7 summit

Calgary's Ukrainian community are preparing to welcome Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy to the 2025 G7 summit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with members of Calgary’s Ukrainian community following the G7 summit in Kananaskis Country.

Zelenskyy will meet with members of the Calgary branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress along with others from across Canada on Tuesday to discuss the latest developments in the war against Russia.

He’ll be white-hatted and will receive a large ostrich egg that’s been painted by a Calgary woman, in addition to a book about Ukrainian pioneers in Canada.

A large electronic billboard, designed by Ivan Ostapenko, near the Calgary International Airport is in place welcoming Zelenskky to Alberta -- and reminding other world leaders to keep Ukraine at the top of mind, says Roman Yosyfiv, the president of the Calgary branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

“We want to say thank you (to Zelenskyy),” said Yosyfiv, “and we hope he will say ‘thank you’ too, for all Canada has done and continues to do (for Ukrainian people.”

“The message for Zelenskyy is we stand together with you.”

Yosyfiv added that billboard is not just for Ukrainians, either.

“I’ve been in the presidency of (Calgary branch of) Ukrainian Canadian Congress since November and I talk to a lot of people who aren’t Ukrainian,” he said. “Different nationalities – like I talk to people from Belarus, all different nationalities – when we have those rallies, people come over and they show us respect.

“So really this billboard is for everyone – not just for Ukrainians, not just for the president or the leaders – it’s for everyone.

“I know the Ukrainian problem is in the ears of everyone and we want to continue to have this attention to Ukraine so the leaders can see this and then they can get together and stand together for Ukraine.”

Calgary’s Ukrainian community is holding a rally outside city hall Saturday at 1 p.m.