The Bill Kelly Show Podcast:

Vladimir Putin’s latest war of aggression against Ukraine is entering its second week. But while Ukrainians are the ones heroically standing as the vanguards of democracy against authoritarianism, we must make no mistake: Putin has in fact declared war on much more than Ukrainian democracy. 

This war, the largest and most devastating in Europe since the end of the Second World War, represents an assault on democracy itself. It is an attack on the rules-based international order that rejects the approach of “might is right” and is essential for maintaining democracy, freedom, human rights, and prosperity. 

Thus, the choice before us is clear: do we pay the price for defending democracy now, or do we continue to allow authoritarianism to prevail, and ultimately pay a much higher price later? 

We must do all that we can today, to support Ukraine in its fight against authoritarianism. And though we have made the case for a need for a stronger approach to Russia for many years now, we are less alone than ever in making this case. 

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GUEST: Marcus Kolga, Director of DisinfoWatch.org and Senior Fellow with the Macdonald Laurier Institute

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The results of a survey released today by Maru Public Opinion finds Canadians in near unanimity (91%) standing with the people of Ukraine in full opposition to Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

GUEST: John Wright, Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion

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Gas prices are expected to rise by as much as 10 cents a litre by the weekend, according to an industry expert.

This would continue to establish new records for the price of gas across the province.

Dan McTeague, president of Canadians for Affordable Energy says Russia’s attack on Ukraine is playing a major part, with sanctions being placed on Russia causing prices to rise, as that country is the world’s third-largest oil producer.

ALSO: Ford, Horwath clash over gas prices during question period at Ontario legislature

GUEST: Michael Manjuris, Professor at the Ted Rogers School of Management with Ryerson University

The Bill Kelly Show Podcast:

Canada will expand its Russia sanctions to target more Putin-friendly oligarchs and businesses, but Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland warns Canadians there will be an economic price for these punitive measures in support of Ukraine.

“I have to be honest with Canadians that there could be some collateral damage in Canada,” Ms. Freeland told reporters Tuesday.

She said she discussed this possibility with Group of Seven finance ministers Tuesday. “We said in order to be really be effective, in order to really have an impact, we are going to have to be prepared for there to be some adverse consequences for our own economies.”

GUEST: Tina J. Park, Junior Fellow with the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History at the University of Toronto

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Tuesday, offering to play a role in ending the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as Beijing faces international criticism for appearing to stand by Moscow after the start of the invasion.

Mr. Wang said that the situation in Ukraine “has changed dramatically,” according to state broadcaster CCTV.

“China deplores the outbreak of conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and is extremely concerned about the harm to civilians,” he said. “China’s basic position on the Ukraine issue is open, transparent and consistent.

ALSO: China's response; China-Russia partnership

GUEST: Elliot Tepper, Emeritus Professor of Political Science with Carleton University

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Addressing a concerned nation and anxious world, U.S. President Joe Biden vowed in his first state of the union address Tuesday night to check Russian aggression in Ukraine, tame soaring U.S. inflation and deal with the fading but still dangerous coronavirus pandemic.

Biden declared that he and all members of Congress, whatever political differences there may be, were joined "with an unwavering resolve that freedom will always triumph over tyranny." He asked the lawmakers crowding the House chamber to salute Ukrainians as he began his speech, and they stood and cheered.

GUEST: Brian J. Karem, Political Commentator for CNN, Columnist for Salon.Com and The Washington Diplomat, and Host of the podcast "Just Ask the Question”