Trudeau says Putin accountable for ‘heinous battle crimes’ during shock visit to Ukraine – National

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

The transient journey was speculated to be stored underneath wraps until after Trudeau left Ukraine, however native officers and media broke the embargo Sunday morning.

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

In the course of the visit, Trudeau met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and held a press convention in the Mariinskyi Palace, the place he introduced further military assistance and funding supports for Ukraine as it defends its nation against the Russian invasion.

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

Story continues beneath advertisement

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

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

“We're presently going through a full-fledged aggression of Russia and it is a gesture of support we highly recognize,” Zelenskyy mentioned.

Zelenskyy said Canada was second only to the US in the “scope of help it’s been providing to Ukraine.”

The pair had also mentioned weapons Ukraine was in need of and the economic needs of the country, Zelenskyy stated.

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

Read more: Russian official claims U.S. ‘straight taking part’ in Ukraine struggle as ‘Victory Day’ nears

Story continues beneath advertisement

In the course of the press convention, Trudeau introduced Canada will provide an additional $50 million in army help to Ukraine, together with 18 drone cameras, $15 million in high-resolution satellite tv for pc imagery, and up to $1 million in small arms and ammunition.

Trudeau also announced sanctions towards 40 further Russian people – 21 oligarchs and shut associates of the Russian regime and 19 people within the Russian defence sector. Five entities would also be sanctioned for “providing indirect or direct assist to the Russian army.”

Trudeau additionally pledged funding for de-mining operations as well as a $25 million grant to the World Meals Programme for meals safety in Ukraine and a removal of all commerce tariffs for Ukrainian imports coming into Canada for the subsequent yr.

He mentioned Canada may also present new funding for ladies’s organizations, human rights defenders and civil society teams.

Story continues beneath advertisement

“We are going to proceed to do the work of being there for you with whatever we are able to, with whatever you want,” Trudeau mentioned.

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

Trudeau excursions destroyed Ukrainian towns

Ukrainian officers haven't been shy in emphasizing both their need for more supplies as well as their gratitude for Canadian help in providing weapons, cash and diplomatic assist.

Now two-and-a-half months into Russia’s invasion of the country, the bulk of Russian forces have retreated into the contested japanese Donbas area, the place preventing has intensified.

Story continues under advertisement

Many count on Putin to degree a warning to the West to not intervene throughout a Red Square speech in Moscow on Monday marking the World Struggle Two commemoration generally known 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 disgrace on the thousands and thousands of people, on the thousands and thousands of Russians who sacrificed within the identify of freedom. That is Putin’s legacy.”

Trudeau toured the city of Irpin, simply outdoors Kyiv, which was heavily bombarded by Russian shelling in the course of 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 rapidly spurred accusations of war crimes.

His safety convoy included greater than 20 vehicles.

Story continues beneath advertisement

Trudeau said he had “witnessed first-hand the brutality of Russia’s illegal conflict” and mentioned Russian President Vladimir Putin must face penalties for committing warfare crimes.

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

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

Trending Stories

Russia bombs faculty in Ukraine village, dozens feared lifeless

Russian official claims U.S. ‘instantly participating’ in Ukraine fight as ‘Victory Day’ nears

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

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

On the finish of his address, Trudeau stated: “At the moment we ship a resounding message to the world that Canada and our allies continue to face shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine,” before saying “Slava Ukraini.”

When asked if Canada might have executed extra to assist Ukraine, Zelenskyy reiterated a standard plea that the nation was lacking heavy weapons and encouraged the assembled media to “use the internet” to determine which nations may provide those weapons.

“We all know which countries have the technical capabilities and have the weapons that fortunately should not used on the territory of those countries. Which may provide us with those weapons – we all know this.”

Story continues under commercial

He mentioned monetary help was second to weapons by way of mandatory assistance and that Canada had provided enough of that too, primarily by means of the C$1 billion in new mortgage assets via the International Monetary Fund and C$500 million in military aid that was announced on Thursday.

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

Throughout his visit, Trudeau and Zelenskyy participated within the G7 Leaders’ meeting, the place leaders of the world’s seven most superior economies vowed to wean their nations off of Russian energy and to maintain pushing to isolate the country in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine.

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

Story continues beneath commercial

Talking after the assembly on Russia’s nuclear threats, Trudeau said: “No quantity of irresponsible sabre rattling by Vladimir Putin will deter the G7 or NATO allies and allies of democracy world wide in our resolve to face with Ukraine and to face towards Putin’s unlawful and irresponsible invasion.”

Trudeau mentioned the world was extra determined to see Russia lose the war after witnessing the atrocities committed in cities akin 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 people and of the Ukrainian chief. And secondly he vastly underestimated the willpower and the power of countries around the world to face towards 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 boost the Canadian flag as soon as once more.

Story continues beneath advertisement

The Canadian government announced the closure of the embassy on February 12 resulting from issues over a Russian invasion. The embassy first moved to the japanese 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 forced across the facet of the constructing to attempt once more.

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

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

“Having our Canadian flag fly over the streets of Kyiv once once more is just another testament 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, the place he has simply announced the reopening of the Canadian Embassy

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

— Ashleigh Stewart (@Ash_Stewart_) Could 8, 2022

Story continues beneath commercial

Unfortunately, the primary try at raising the flag resulted in 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 security guard, Sergii Maier, for staying at the embassy while it was closed. Maier, who has labored on the embassy for 5 years, stated he was simply doing his job.

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

Later, when he was asked in the course of the press convention why it had taken so long 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.

Story continues below advertisement

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

Could 8 is the nation’s Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation, which commemorates the victims of the Second World Warfare. 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.

Read more: Joly mum on Ukraine visit however says Canada’s ambassador will return when it's secure

Zelenskyy launched a robust black-and-white video on Sunday to mark the occasion, evaluating the Russian invasion of his nation to the battle against fascism within the Second World Conflict.

Story continues below advertisement

In the video, which spans quarter-hour, Zelenskyy stands outside a bombed residence building in Borodyanka, near Kyiv, and asks: “Never again? Try telling Ukraine that.”

De-mining focus for Ukraine

A few dozen members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were in attendance in the course of the press convention between Trudeau and Zelenskyy, to receive commendations for their work on demining the nation.

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

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

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

Story continues below advertisement

His handler Mykhailo Illiev advised World News earlier than the event that this was his first break day because the war started.

“We don’t have any time after we can calm down,” he mentioned.

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

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

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

With files from International’s Amanda Connolly

© 2022 World Information, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.