Trudeau says Putin accountable for ‘heinous struggle crimes’ throughout shock visit to Ukraine – National

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it's clear now that Russian President Vladimir Putin is answerable for “heinous war crimes” following a shock go to to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

The transient journey was supposed to be kept below wraps till after Trudeau left Ukraine, however native officials and media broke the embargo Sunday morning.

Learn more: G7 leaders vow to wean off Russian energy as Ukraine enters talks for ‘peace settlement’

Through the go to, Trudeau met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and held a press convention within the Mariinskyi Palace, the place he announced further navy help and funding helps for Ukraine because it defends its nation in opposition to the Russian invasion.

“It is clear that Vladimir Putin is liable for heinous war crimes. There must be accountability,” Trudeau stated throughout an impassioned speech.

Story continues under commercial

“Canada will assist Ukraine as you search justice on your people who Russia is killing and brutalizing.”

Through the press convention, Zelenskyy welcomed Trudeau as a “good friend of our country.”

“We're presently going through a full-fledged aggression of Russia and this can be a gesture of assist we highly admire,” Zelenskyy mentioned.

Zelenskyy stated Canada was second solely to the US within the “scope of assistance it’s been providing to Ukraine.”

The pair had also mentioned weapons Ukraine was in want of and the economic wants of the country, Zelenskyy mentioned.

“The rebuild of Ukraine requires swift, concise movement … and we’ve agreed on easy methods to flip that into actuality.”

Learn extra: Russian official claims U.S. ‘straight participating’ in Ukraine battle as ‘Victory Day’ nears

Story continues under advertisement

Through the press conference, Trudeau announced Canada will provide an extra $50 million in army assistance to Ukraine, together with 18 drone cameras, $15 million in high-resolution satellite imagery, and as much as $1 million in small arms and ammunition.

Trudeau additionally introduced sanctions towards 40 further Russian individuals – 21 oligarchs and shut associates of the Russian regime and 19 people within the Russian defence sector. 5 entities would also be sanctioned for “providing oblique or direct help to the Russian military.”

Trudeau also pledged funding for de-mining operations in addition to a $25 million grant to the World Food Programme for food security in Ukraine and a removal of all trade tariffs for Ukrainian imports coming into Canada for the following year.

He mentioned Canada will even present new funding for women’s organizations, human rights defenders and civil society groups.

Story continues under commercial

“We'll continue to do the work of being there for you with no matter we are able to, with no matter you want,” Trudeau said.

Trudeau was later asked by Ukrainian media if he was aware that in accordance with sanctions placed on him by Putin, he wouldn't be allowed to enter Russia.

He mentioned: “If Vladimir Putin desires to proceed handing out sanctions he’s going to have to sanction about 38 million Canadians before we even start to notice,” Trudeau stated.

Trudeau tours destroyed Ukrainian towns

Ukrainian officials haven't been shy in emphasizing both their need for more provides as well as their gratitude for Canadian help in offering weapons, money and diplomatic help.

Now two-and-a-half months into Russia’s invasion of the nation, the majority of Russian forces have retreated into the contested eastern Donbas region, where fighting has intensified.

Story continues beneath advertisement

Many count on Putin to level a warning to the West to not interfere during a Crimson Sq. speech in Moscow on Monday marking the World War Two commemoration known as “Victory Day.”

Trudeau spoke of the symbolism of the day which commemorated when the Allies “conquered fascism.”

“What Vladimir Putin is doing right now, these previous weeks, brings disgrace on the hundreds of thousands of individuals, on the millions of Russians who sacrificed within the identify of freedom. That's Putin’s legacy.”

Trudeau toured the town of Irpin, just outside Kyiv, which was heavily bombarded by Russian shelling during the advance on the capital. He additionally visited Bucha, the place retreating Russian forces in March left behind a path of horrific brutality and suffering that shortly spurred accusations of conflict crimes.

His security convoy included greater than 20 autos.

Story continues beneath commercial

Trudeau said he had “witnessed first-hand the brutality of Russia’s unlawful struggle” and mentioned Russian President Vladimir Putin should face consequences for committing conflict crimes.

“I additionally witnessed the resilience of Ukrainians as individuals rebuild, as individuals stood even outnumbered eight to 1 to defend not simply their properties but the entire city behind them of Kyiv,” Trudeau mentioned.

The Prime Minister then applauded Zelenskyy’s leadership throughout the previous two months, calling him an “inspiration.”

Trending Stories

Russia bombs faculty in Ukraine village, dozens feared useless

Russian official claims U.S. ‘directly participating’ in Ukraine battle as ‘Victory Day’ nears

He additionally pointed out that Sunday was Mother’s Day in Canada and wanted to precise his “admiration and respect for all of the moms in Ukraine.”

Learn more: Ukraine wants extra weapons as warfare with Russia enters ‘very important’ phase: ambassador-designate

At the finish of his deal with, Trudeau stated: “Right this moment we ship a powerful message to the world that Canada and our allies continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine,” before saying “Slava Ukraini.”

When requested if Canada might have accomplished extra to help Ukraine, Zelenskyy reiterated a standard plea that the country was missing heavy weapons and encouraged the assembled media to “use the web” to find out which countries might provide those weapons.

“Everyone knows which international locations have the technical capabilities and have the weapons that fortunately are usually not used on the territory of those countries. Which may provide us with these weapons – everyone knows this.”

Story continues below advertisement

He said monetary assist was second to weapons when it comes to crucial assistance and that Canada had supplied enough of that too, primarily through the C$1 billion in new loan sources through the International Monetary Fund and C$500 million in military support that was introduced on Thursday.

Zelenskyy then went on to say that Canada was the “fourth nation that we also can not ask extra from” – behind the three Baltic states of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.

Throughout his go to, Trudeau and Zelenskyy participated within the G7 Leaders’ meeting, the place leaders of the world’s seven most superior economies vowed to wean their countries off of Russian power and to keep pushing to isolate the nation in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine.

The G7 leaders mentioned in a joint assertion that they plan to also “elevate” a campaign in opposition to Russian elites who assist President Vladimir Putin.

Story continues under advertisement

Talking after the meeting on Russia’s nuclear threats, Trudeau mentioned: “No quantity of irresponsible sabre rattling by Vladimir Putin will deter the G7 or NATO allies and allies of democracy around the world in our resolve to stand with Ukraine and to face in opposition to Putin’s illegal and irresponsible invasion.”

Trudeau stated the world was more decided to see Russia lose the battle after witnessing the atrocities dedicated in cities corresponding to Mariupol and Bucha and Putin had made some “profound miscalculations” in invading Ukraine.

“Firstly, he miscalculated deeply the braveness, the resolve, the energy of the Ukrainian folks and of the Ukrainian chief. And secondly he vastly underestimated the willpower and the ability of countries around the globe to stand in opposition to his actions and stand in support of our Ukrainian associates.”

Canadian embassy reopens in Kyiv

Hours earlier, Trudeau visited the Canadian embassy in Kyiv, where he was joined by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Affairs Melanie Joly and Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine Larisa Galadza to raise the Canadian flag as soon as once more.

Story continues below advertisement

The Canadian government introduced the closure of the embassy on February 12 as a consequence of concerns over a Russian invasion. The embassy first moved to the jap metropolis of Lviv after which to Poland.

Nonetheless, the flag-raising ceremony briefly went awry when the chosen flagpole’s mechanisms failed and the group had been pressured across the side of the constructing to strive once more.

As it rose up the pole, Trudeau, Freeland and Joly applauded.

“This flag got here down on February 13 and we’re really glad to be raising it once more above the Canadian embassy,” Trudeau stated.

“Having our Canadian flag fly over the streets of Kyiv once once more is just one other testament to the strength and solidarity of Canadians and Ukrainians and how we continue to be with them.”

#BREAKING: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Kyiv, the place he has just introduced the reopening of the Canadian Embassy

"Having the Canadian flag fly over the streets of Kyiv once once more is yet another testomony to the power and solidarity of Canadians and Ukrainians” pic.twitter.com/ZfqlAlybQT

— Ashleigh Stewart (@Ash_Stewart_) May 8, 2022

Story continues beneath advertisement

Sadly, the first try at elevating the flag ended in failure

Trudeau and co then resorted to a different flagpole across the side of the embassy pic.twitter.com/6sM8j52FXA

— Ashleigh Stewart (@Ash_Stewart_) May 8, 2022

On the conclusion of the ceremony he thanked the embassy’s security guard, Sergii Maier, for staying at the embassy whereas it was closed. Maier, who has worked on the embassy for 5 years, said he was simply doing his job.

Embassy workers will resume diplomatic operations in Kyiv, as a part of a gradual restoring of Canada’s full diplomatic presence and services, a press release later mentioned. Nevertheless, until additional discover, consular and immigration providers will continue to be supplied in Poland and different European cities.

Later, when he was asked in the course of the press conference why it had taken so long to re-open the Canadian embassy, Trudeau dodged the question, simply saying it was “an unbelievable honour” to re-open it after it had been closed for months.

Story continues beneath commercial

Trudeau’s visit got here on a historic day for Ukraine.

Might 8 is the country’s Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation, which commemorates the victims of the Second World Conflict. It comes on the eve of Russia’s so-called Victory Day.

Ukraine stopped celebrating Victory Day in 2015, after the invasion of the Donbas, when it switched the holiday to a day earlier to coincide with Victory in Europe Day, celebrated by the Allies to mark the end of the warfare.

Read more: Joly mum on Ukraine go to but says Canada’s ambassador will return when it is safe

Zelenskyy released a strong black-and-white video on Sunday to mark the event, comparing the Russian invasion of his nation to the fight against fascism in the Second World War.

Story continues under advertisement

Within the video, which spans quarter-hour, Zelenskyy stands outside a bombed condo building in Borodyanka, near Kyiv, and asks: “By no means once more? Attempt telling Ukraine that.”

De-mining focus for Ukraine

A couple of dozen members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been in attendance throughout the press convention between Trudeau and Zelenskyy, to receive commendations for his or her work on demining the nation.

Part of Trudeau’s new supports introduced in Kyiv was funding for de-mining operations.

One of those available to receive a particular medal for his demining work was a two-year-old Jack Russell Terrier named Patron. The de-mining canine discovered online fame throughout his work demining town of Chernihiv.

However, he didn’t seem to be notably keen on Trudeau – and reacted by barking loudly when the Canadian prime minister tried to step forward to go on his personal congratulations.

Story continues under commercial

His handler Mykhailo Illiev advised World News earlier than the event that this was his first day off for the reason that battle began.

“We don’t have any time when we can relax,” he stated.

“Persons are coming back and we need to do our work. They need to rebuild their houses and we need to clean the territory.”

He said he and Patron hadn’t set out to “be common.”

“I am simply doing my work, what is required for the folks. No one has a objective of getting an award,” he mentioned.

With recordsdata from International’s Amanda Connolly

© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.