Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for the “immediate”, “complete” and “unconditional” withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory during a surprise visit to Kiev on Saturday, where he and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced further information on military aid for the country Ukraine and new sanctions against Russia.
“Russia decided to invade Ukraine, they thought they could conquer Ukraine in a few weeks, but at that level they failed miserably,” Justin Trudeau said during a press conference after his address to the Ukrainian parliament.
This visit – Justin Trudeau’s second since the beginning of the war – was organized in the utmost secrecy for security reasons. It comes at a crucial moment in the conflict, when a Ukrainian counter-offensive appears to be taking shape in the south-east of the country. Since the destruction of the Kakhovka dam on Tuesday, for which Moscow and Kiev have accused each other, the region has also been struggling with severe flooding.
“Canada stands by Ukraine. I am in Kyiv to reiterate this commitment to President @ZelenskyyUa and the Ukrainian people who continue to oppose Russia’s brutal war,” the prime minister wrote on Twitter.
Equipment, training, sanctions and justice
Kyiv will therefore receive $500 million in military equipment, including ammunition for the air defense system. While fighting continues on the front lines, Russia has been increasing drone and missile attacks on the capital since early May.
Operation UNIFIER, under which Canada has trained “more than 36,000 Ukrainian military and security forces” since 2015, will continue “until 2026,” Justin Trudeau announced. In particular, this allows for the training of fighter pilots, a measure that the prime minister had already considered at the G7 summit in Hiroshima in May.
Additionally, Canada will join a team of countries that will help maintain the tanks while providing additional missiles and ammunition. That includes an additional 288 AIM-7 missiles to counter Russian airstrikes and a reallocation of existing funds for 10,000 rounds of 105mm ammunition, Trudeau said.
The prime minister said Canada would seek to seize the Russian-registered Antonov 124 cargo plane in favor of Ukraine so it could not be used in support of Russia’s war effort. The vehicle has been based at Toronto Pearson International Airport since February 2022 after Canadian airspace was closed to Russian aircraft in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
New sanctions will be imposed on 24 individuals and 17 organizations for their alleged support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Prime Minister also announced that existing aid to Ukraine would be used to provide psychological support to the population, who, after more than a year of conflict, are now facing a deteriorating humanitarian situation due to the floods that have hit the country since the devastation last Tuesday raged the Kakhovka dam. These mental health support projects target children, teachers and medical staff in particular.
Ottawa also reiterated its “firm commitment to bring those responsible for war crimes to justice” and its “willingness to participate in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.”
According to Justin Trudeau, “Peace is necessary, but it must be on Ukrainian terms.”
Ukraine wants to help Canada in the face of the fires
When asked about the progress of the counter-offensive, which seems to be emerging, the Ukrainian president remained evasive, only indicating that he was in contact with his generals and that everything was going well.
And who is responsible for the destruction of the dam? It was “a direct consequence of the war in Russia,” Justin Trudeau replied matter-of-factly, without directly pointing the finger at Moscow.
The two leaders appear to have been more chatty during their meeting. On Twitter, Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared a video in which we see the two heads of state hugging, followed by a long handshake.
Speaking to Justin Trudeau, Mr. Zelensky thanked Ottawa and the Canadian people for their support and offered Canada’s help to Ukraine in dealing with the 417 wildfires currently active in the country. “Of course I am aware of these forest fires. We are ready to help Canadians,” he said.
tribute to soldiers
Before his meeting with President Zelenskyy, Justin Trudeau paid tribute to the soldiers who had died since the beginning of the war by laying a wreath on the memorial wall of the Saint-Michel-au-Dôme-d’Or monastery. Mr. Trudeau then met with representatives from the Department of Defense and was able to exchange a few words with soldiers trained by the Canadian Armed Forces.
It is the Canadian head of government’s second visit to the Ukrainian capital since the start of the war. He went there in May last year to announce the reopening of the Canadian embassy and offer his support to the Ukrainian people. He was then joined by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly.
Once again, Mr. Trudeau will be accompanied by Ms. Freeland, who is of Ukrainian descent. The Foreign Minister made an official visit to Kiev last February.
Canada is an ally of Ukraine in the conflict between her and Russia. The Canadian government has provided more than $8 billion to Ukraine to support its efforts to repel the Russian aggressor, including sending eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks in support of Ukrainian forces.
Upon returning to the country, Justin Trudeau will have to deal with several hot issues, including the wildfires that continue to burn in Canada and the resignation on Friday of special rapporteur David Johnston, whom Mr Trudeau appointed to investigate. to foreign interference.
With the Canadian Press