Trudeau says Putin answerable for ‘heinous struggle crimes’ during surprise visit to Ukraine – Nationwide

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it's clear now that Russian President Vladimir Putin is accountable for “heinous warfare crimes” following a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

The transient trip was imagined to be kept underneath wraps till after Trudeau left Ukraine, however local officers and media broke the embargo Sunday morning.

Read extra: G7 leaders vow to wean off Russian power as Ukraine enters talks for ‘peace settlement’

During the go to, Trudeau met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and held a press convention in the Mariinskyi Palace, the place he introduced additional navy help and funding helps for Ukraine because it defends its country in opposition to the Russian invasion.

“It's clear that Vladimir Putin is accountable for heinous battle crimes. There must be accountability,” Trudeau said during an impassioned speech.

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“Canada will assist Ukraine as you seek justice for your people that Russia is killing and brutalizing.”

During the press conference, Zelenskyy welcomed Trudeau as a “good buddy of our country.”

“We're at present facing a full-fledged aggression of Russia and this can be a gesture of support we extremely appreciate,” Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy mentioned Canada was second solely to the US in the “scope of assistance it’s been offering to Ukraine.”

The pair had additionally discussed weapons Ukraine was in want of and the financial wants of the country, Zelenskyy said.

“The rebuild of Ukraine requires swift, concise motion … and we’ve agreed on the right way to turn that into reality.”

Read extra: Russian official claims U.S. ‘directly taking part’ in Ukraine combat as ‘Victory Day’ nears

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Throughout the press convention, Trudeau announced Canada will present a further $50 million in navy help to Ukraine, including 18 drone cameras, $15 million in high-resolution satellite imagery, and as much as $1 million in small arms and ammunition.

Trudeau also introduced sanctions in opposition to 40 additional Russian individuals – 21 oligarchs and close associates of the Russian regime and 19 individuals in the Russian defence sector. Five entities would even be sanctioned for “offering indirect or direct help to the Russian army.”

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

He stated Canada will also provide new funding for women’s organizations, human rights defenders and civil society teams.

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“We will proceed to do the work of being there for you with whatever we can, with no matter you need,” Trudeau mentioned.

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

He said: “If Vladimir Putin needs to continue handing out sanctions he’s going to should sanction about 38 million Canadians before we even start to note,” Trudeau said.

Trudeau tours destroyed Ukrainian cities

Ukrainian officials haven't been shy in emphasizing both their want for more provides as well as their gratitude for Canadian support in providing weapons, cash and diplomatic help.

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

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Many count on Putin to stage a warning to the West to not interfere throughout a Red Square speech in Moscow on Monday marking the World Battle Two commemoration often called “Victory Day.”

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

“What Vladimir Putin is doing today, these previous weeks, brings disgrace on the hundreds of thousands of people, on the thousands and thousands of Russians who sacrificed within the name of freedom. That is Putin’s legacy.”

Trudeau toured the city of Irpin, just outdoors Kyiv, which was closely bombarded by Russian shelling in the course of the advance on the capital. He also visited Bucha, the place retreating Russian forces in March left behind a path of horrific brutality and struggling that rapidly spurred accusations of warfare crimes.

His safety convoy included greater than 20 vehicles.

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

“I also witnessed the resilience of Ukrainians as folks rebuild, as people stood even outnumbered eight to at least one to defend not simply their homes but your entire city behind them of Kyiv,” Trudeau said.

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

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He also pointed out that Sunday was Mom’s Day in Canada and wished to precise his “admiration and respect for all the moms in Ukraine.”

Learn extra: Ukraine needs more weapons as warfare with Russia enters ‘essential’ part: ambassador-designate

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

When asked if Canada might have finished extra to help Ukraine, Zelenskyy reiterated a common plea that the nation was missing heavy weapons and encouraged the assembled media to “use the web” to determine which international locations may present those weapons.

“We all know which international locations have the technical capabilities and have the weapons that thankfully will not be used on the territory of those countries. Which might present us with those weapons – everyone knows this.”

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He stated financial assist was second to weapons by way of needed help and that Canada had offered sufficient of that too, primarily by way of the C$1 billion in new mortgage resources via the Worldwide Financial Fund and C$500 million in military aid that was announced on Thursday.

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

During his visit, Trudeau and Zelenskyy participated in the G7 Leaders’ meeting, where leaders of the world’s seven most advanced economies vowed to wean their nations off of Russian vitality and to maintain pushing to isolate the nation in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine.

The G7 leaders mentioned in a joint assertion that they plan to additionally “elevate” a campaign against Russian elites who support President Vladimir Putin.

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Speaking 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 all over the world in our resolve to face with Ukraine and to stand against Putin’s illegal and irresponsible invasion.”

Trudeau said the world was extra determined to see Russia lose the warfare after witnessing the atrocities committed in cities reminiscent of Mariupol and Bucha and Putin had made some “profound miscalculations” in invading Ukraine.

“Firstly, he miscalculated deeply the courage, the resolve, the power of the Ukrainian individuals and of the Ukrainian chief. And secondly he vastly underestimated the willpower and the ability of countries all over the world to stand in opposition to his actions and stand in assist 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 once once more.

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The Canadian government introduced the closure of the embassy on February 12 because of considerations over a Russian invasion. The embassy first moved to the japanese metropolis of Lviv and then to Poland.

However, the flag-raising ceremony briefly went awry when the chosen flagpole’s mechanisms failed and the group were forced around the facet of the building to strive once more.

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

“This flag came down on February 13 and we’re actually glad to be raising it again above the Canadian embassy,” Trudeau said.

“Having our Canadian flag fly over the streets of Kyiv once once more is simply another testomony to the energy and solidarity of Canadians and Ukrainians and how we proceed to be with them.”

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

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

— Ashleigh Stewart (@Ash_Stewart_) Might 8, 2022

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Sadly, the primary attempt at raising the flag led to failure

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

— Ashleigh Stewart (@Ash_Stewart_) Could 8, 2022

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

Embassy staff will resume diplomatic operations in Kyiv, as part of a gradual restoring of Canada’s full diplomatic presence and services, a statement later said. However, until additional notice, consular and immigration companies will proceed 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 lengthy to re-open the Canadian embassy, Trudeau dodged the question, merely saying it was “an unimaginable honour” to re-open it after it had been closed for months.

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

Might 8 is the nation’s Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation, which commemorates the victims of the Second World War. 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 struggle.

Learn extra: Joly mum on Ukraine visit however says Canada’s ambassador will return when it is secure

Zelenskyy launched a strong black-and-white video on Sunday to mark the event, comparing the Russian invasion of his country to the combat against fascism in the Second World Conflict.

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In the video, which spans 15 minutes, Zelenskyy stands exterior 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 few dozen members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been in attendance throughout the press convention between Trudeau and Zelenskyy, to obtain commendations for their work on demining the country.

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

A kind of available to receive a special medal for his demining work was a two-year-old Jack Russell Terrier named Patron. The de-mining dog found online fame throughout his work demining town of Chernihiv.

However, he didn’t appear to be particularly fond of Trudeau – and reacted by barking loudly when the Canadian prime minister attempted to step ahead to go on his own congratulations.

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His handler Mykhailo Illiev instructed Global News earlier than the occasion that this was his first break day since the war began.

“We don’t have any time once we can relax,” he mentioned.

“People are coming back and we have to do our work. They need to rebuild their homes and we need to clear the territory.”

He mentioned he and Patron hadn’t set out to “be widespread.”

“I'm just doing my work, what is needed for the folks. Nobody has a objective of getting an award,” he stated.

With information from Global’s Amanda Connolly

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