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Ukraine's President says his country has "crossed the Rubicon" to a new westward-looking future that leaves behind the darkness of its Russian past.

President Petro Poroshenko made the remarks during an address to the Canadian Parliament on Wednesday.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper welcomed Poroshenko, who lauded Canada for its unwavering support of Ukraine. Canada is home to more than 1 million people of Ukrainian descent.

Earlier this week, Poroshenko signed a co-operation agreement with the European Union that will deepen economic and political ties and help cement Ukraine's focus toward Europe and away from Russia.

Poroshenko says that was the last farewell from Ukraine to the Soviet Union and says they "will never, ever turn back to our awful past."