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

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

The brief journey was speculated to be kept under wraps till after Trudeau left Ukraine, but local officers and media broke the embargo Sunday morning.

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

During the go to, Trudeau met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and held a press conference in the Mariinskyi Palace, where he introduced additional army help and funding supports for Ukraine because it defends its nation against the Russian invasion.

“It is clear that Vladimir Putin is accountable for heinous warfare crimes. There should be accountability,” Trudeau stated throughout an impassioned speech.

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“Canada will help Ukraine as you seek justice in your folks that Russia is killing and brutalizing.”

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

“We are at the moment dealing with a full-fledged aggression of Russia and this can be a gesture of support we highly appreciate,” Zelenskyy stated.

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

The pair had also mentioned weapons Ukraine was in need of and the economic wants of the nation, Zelenskyy said.

“The rebuild of Ukraine requires swift, concise motion … and we’ve agreed on how to turn that into actuality.”

Read extra: Russian official claims U.S. ‘straight collaborating’ in Ukraine combat as ‘Victory Day’ nears

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Throughout the press conference, Trudeau introduced Canada will present an additional $50 million in army help to Ukraine, together with 18 drone cameras, $15 million in high-resolution satellite imagery, and up to $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 within the Russian defence sector. Five entities would even be sanctioned for “providing oblique or direct assist to the Russian army.”

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

He said Canada may also provide new funding for girls’s organizations, human rights defenders and civil society teams.

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

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

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

Trudeau excursions destroyed Ukrainian towns

Ukrainian officers have not been shy in emphasizing each their want for more provides as well as their gratitude for Canadian help in providing weapons, cash and diplomatic support.

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

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Many expect Putin to level a warning to the West to not interfere during a Pink Square speech in Moscow on Monday marking the World Battle Two commemoration referred to as “Victory Day.”

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

“What Vladimir Putin is doing today, these past weeks, brings shame 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, simply outdoors Kyiv, which was closely bombarded by Russian shelling through the advance on the capital. He additionally visited Bucha, where 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 autos.

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

“I also witnessed the resilience of Ukrainians as folks rebuild, as people stood even outnumbered eight to 1 to defend not simply their houses however the complete metropolis behind them of Kyiv,” Trudeau stated.

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

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

Learn extra: Ukraine needs more weapons as struggle with Russia enters ‘very important’ section: ambassador-designate

On the end of his address, Trudeau mentioned: “In the present day we send a resounding message to the world that Canada and our allies proceed to face shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine,” earlier than saying “Slava Ukraini.”

When asked if Canada could have done more to assist Ukraine, Zelenskyy reiterated a common plea that the country was lacking heavy weapons and inspired the assembled media to “use the internet” to determine which nations could provide these weapons.

“Everyone knows which nations have the technical capabilities and have the weapons that fortunately will not be used on the territory of these international locations. Which can provide us with these weapons – everyone knows this.”

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He stated monetary help was second to weapons in terms of necessary help and that Canada had offered sufficient of that too, primarily through the C$1 billion in new mortgage assets via the Worldwide Monetary Fund and C$500 million in military support that was announced on Thursday.

Zelenskyy then went on to say that Canada was the “fourth nation that we additionally cannot ask extra 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 energy and to keep pushing to isolate the country in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine.

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

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Speaking after the assembly on Russia’s nuclear threats, Trudeau stated: “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 stand in opposition to Putin’s unlawful and irresponsible invasion.”

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

“Firstly, he miscalculated deeply the courage, the resolve, the strength of the Ukrainian folks and of the Ukrainian leader. And secondly he vastly underestimated the dedication and the power of nations all over the world to stand in opposition to his actions and stand in help of our Ukrainian pals.”

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 again.

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The Canadian authorities announced the closure of the embassy on February 12 due to considerations over a Russian invasion. The embassy first moved to the japanese metropolis of Lviv after which to Poland.

Nevertheless, the flag-raising ceremony briefly went awry when the chosen flagpole’s mechanisms failed and the group have been pressured around the facet of the building to try again.

Because 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 elevating it again above the Canadian embassy,” Trudeau stated.

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

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

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

— Ashleigh Stewart (@Ash_Stewart_) Could 8, 2022

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Unfortunately, the primary attempt at raising the flag ended in failure

Trudeau and co then resorted to another flagpole across the aspect of the embassy pic.twitter.com/6sM8j52FXA

— Ashleigh Stewart (@Ash_Stewart_) Could 8, 2022

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

Embassy employees will resume diplomatic operations in Kyiv, as a part of a gradual restoring of Canada’s full diplomatic presence and providers, an announcement later said. However, until additional notice, consular and immigration providers will proceed to be provided in Poland and other European cities.

Later, when he was requested during the press conference why it had taken so lengthy to re-open the Canadian embassy, Trudeau dodged the query, simply saying it was “an unbelievable honour” to re-open it after it had been closed for months.

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Trudeau’s visit came 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 Struggle. 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 vacation to a day earlier to coincide with Victory in Europe Day, celebrated by the Allies to mark the top of the war.

Learn more: Joly mum on Ukraine visit but says Canada’s ambassador will return when it's protected

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

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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 had been in attendance through the press convention between Trudeau and Zelenskyy, to receive commendations for his or her work on demining the country.

A part of Trudeau’s new helps announced in Kyiv was funding for de-mining operations.

A type of on hand to obtain a particular medal for his demining work was a two-year-old Jack Russell Terrier named Patron. The de-mining dog found on-line fame during his work demining town of Chernihiv.

Nevertheless, he didn’t appear to be notably keen on Trudeau – and reacted by barking loudly when the Canadian prime minister attempted to step ahead to move on his own congratulations.

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His handler Mykhailo Illiev told Global Information earlier than the occasion that this was his first time off for the reason that struggle started.

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

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

He stated he and Patron hadn’t set out to “be well-liked.”

“I'm simply doing my work, what is required for the individuals. Nobody has a aim of getting an award,” he said.

With files from Global’s Amanda Connolly

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