By Canadian Press

‘More like Rick Mercer’: Canada eyes Ukraine’s actor-turned-president

May 21, 2019 | 12:57 PM

OTTAWA — Veteran Ukraine lawmaker Mustafa Jemilev used to be an opponent of the comedian who was elected the country’s president last month.

But Jemilev tells The Canadian Press the time has come for Ukrainian politicians to rally around Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Zelenskiy was sworn in as president on Monday, and abruptly dissolved parliament on Tuesday, sparking acrimony in a country that has seen Russia annex its Crimea region and start a pro-Kremlin insurgency in its east in 2014.

Jemilev says the stability of his country is paramount and politicians should not do anything to allow Russia to exploit divisions.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland visited Zelenskiy in Kyiv earlier this month, and officials say she came away reassured.

Zelenskiy is frequently compared with former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, but Canadian officials say his rise to power is more like Newfoundland satirist Rick Mercer getting elected prime minister.

Mike Blanchfield, The Canadian Press