It is the turn of the Prime Minister of Canada to set foot on Ukrainian soil, as an act of solidarity with this country in the 74 -day war against Russia. At a joint press briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Justin Trudeau again accused Vladimir Putin of war crimes and announced new economic support for Ukraine.
The Prime Minister announced the shipment of military equipment, small arms and ammunition as well as the elimination of customs tariffs on Ukrainian imports.
I am now announcing more military support, drone cameras, satellite imagery, ammunition and more, including funding for mine clearance operations.
It is clear that President Vladimir Putin is responsible for war crimes, said the Canadian leader.
” He [Vladimir Poutine] Canada must be held accountable and stand with Ukraine. “
Justin Trudeau said Vladimir Putin embarrassed the memory of the millions of Russians who fought to defeat fascism in Europe.
He again denounced this aggression illegal Russian troops from Ukrainian territory, destroying its sovereignty.
We will continue to impose sanctions and remove reliance on Russia’s energy and fight misinformation, Trudeau said.
When asked how long it would take for aid to arrive in Ukraine, President Zelensky only recalled, obviously embarrassed, that time was running out. in negotiations what needs to be done.
He admitted, however, that he was lucky to get the weapons, citing the $ 1.5 billion allocated by Canada, which ranks second after the United States in terms of aid provided to Ukraine.
On this surprise trip abroad, Justin Trudeau was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, and by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly.
Mr. also announced. Trudeau the gradual reopening of the Canadian Embassy in Kyiv and received Ambassador Larisa Galadza in the imminent capital.
Among other things, the Prime Minister witnessed the raising of the maple leaf flag above the Canadian Embassy in the Ukrainian capital. The flag was raised next to the building, as the first flagpole selected was damaged.
Justin Trudeau also visited the town of Irpin, on the outskirts of kyiv, where he witnessed some of the heaviest fighting in this armed conflict in March, when Russian forces attempted to invade the capital. He also visited Boutcha, the scene of another massacre attributed to Russian forces.
For security reasons, the greatest secret surrounds the preparation of this visit. There was no media access to some places visited by Mr. Trudeau and his entourage. However, photos of his visit to Irpin were posted on Twitter by the city mayor.
The visit took place on the same day that Russian missiles struck the southern port city of Odessa and fierce fighting broke out in the east of the country, particularly around Kharkiv, the second most major city in Ukraine.
In March, Mr. traveled. Trudeau in Warsaw, Poland, where he announced the application of sanctions against Russian oligarchs in the wake of the punitive measures adopted after the Russian army’s invasion of Ukraine.
Several other government leaders have visited Ukraine in a show of solidarity since the fighting began, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also visited the country.
Source: Radio-Canada
