Trudeau says Putin responsible for ‘heinous war crimes’ during shock visit to Ukraine – Nationwide

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

The temporary journey was imagined to be saved underneath wraps till after Trudeau left Ukraine, but native officers and media broke the embargo Sunday morning.

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

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

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

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

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

“We are currently going through a full-fledged aggression of Russia and this is a gesture of help we highly appreciate,” Zelenskyy stated.

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

The pair had additionally discussed weapons Ukraine was in need of and the financial needs of the nation, Zelenskyy mentioned.

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

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

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Through the press convention, Trudeau introduced Canada will present a further $50 million in military assistance to Ukraine, including 18 drone cameras, $15 million in high-resolution satellite tv for pc imagery, and as much as $1 million in small arms and ammunition.

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

Trudeau additionally 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 said Canada will also present 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 will, with whatever you want,” Trudeau stated.

Trudeau was later requested by Ukrainian media if he was conscious that in accordance with sanctions placed on him by Putin, he would not be allowed to enter Russia.

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

Trudeau excursions destroyed Ukrainian towns

Ukrainian officials have not been shy in emphasizing both their want for more supplies in addition to their gratitude for Canadian help in offering weapons, cash and diplomatic help.

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

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Many anticipate Putin to degree a warning to the West to not intervene during a Pink Square speech in Moscow on Monday marking the World Warfare 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 right this moment, these past weeks, brings disgrace on the tens of millions 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 outside Kyiv, which was closely bombarded by Russian shelling during the advance on the capital. He also visited Bucha, where retreating Russian forces in March left behind a path of horrific brutality and suffering that quickly spurred accusations of war crimes.

His security convoy included greater than 20 vehicles.

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

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

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

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He additionally identified that Sunday was Mom’s Day in Canada and needed to precise his “admiration and respect for all the moms in Ukraine.”

Learn more: Ukraine wants more weapons as battle with Russia enters ‘crucial’ phase: ambassador-designate

On the end of his deal with, Trudeau mentioned: “Today we send a resounding 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 done more to assist Ukraine, Zelenskyy reiterated a common plea that the nation was missing heavy weapons and inspired the assembled media to “use the web” to determine which countries might present these weapons.

“We all know which international locations have the technical capabilities and have the weapons that thankfully aren't used on the territory of those nations. Which can present us with these weapons – we all know this.”

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He said financial help was second to weapons in terms of essential help and that Canada had provided sufficient 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 army aid that was announced on Thursday.

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

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

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

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Speaking 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 around the globe in our resolve to stand with Ukraine and to stand in opposition to Putin’s illegal and irresponsible invasion.”

Trudeau stated the world was extra decided to see Russia lose the conflict after witnessing the atrocities committed in cities resembling 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 folks and of the Ukrainian chief. And secondly he vastly underestimated the willpower and the flexibility of nations world wide to stand towards his actions and stand in support of our Ukrainian mates.”

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 once again.

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The Canadian authorities announced the closure of the embassy on February 12 on account of issues over a Russian invasion. The embassy first moved to the eastern city of Lviv after which to Poland.

However, the flag-raising ceremony briefly went awry when the chosen flagpole’s mechanisms failed and the group were pressured across the aspect of the building to try again.

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

“This flag came 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 again is just one other testament to the energy 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 simply introduced the reopening of the Canadian Embassy

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

— Ashleigh Stewart (@Ash_Stewart_) May 8, 2022

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Sadly, the primary attempt at elevating the flag resulted in failure

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

— Ashleigh Stewart (@Ash_Stewart_) Might 8, 2022

At the conclusion of the ceremony he thanked the embassy’s safety guard, Sergii Maier, for staying at the embassy while it was closed. Maier, who has worked at the embassy for 5 years, mentioned he was merely 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 mentioned. However, until further notice, consular and immigration providers will continue to be provided in Poland and different European cities.

Later, when he was asked during the press convention 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 came on a historic day for Ukraine.

Could 8 is the country’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.

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

Zelenskyy released a strong black-and-white video on Sunday to mark the occasion, comparing the Russian invasion of his country to the struggle against fascism in the Second World Battle.

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In the video, which spans 15 minutes, Zelenskyy stands exterior a bombed house constructing in Borodyanka, near Kyiv, and asks: “Never once more? Attempt telling Ukraine that.”

De-mining focus for Ukraine

About a dozen members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were in attendance throughout the press conference between Trudeau and Zelenskyy, to receive commendations for their work on demining the nation.

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

One of those readily available to obtain a particular medal for his demining work was a two-year-old Jack Russell Terrier named Patron. The de-mining canine discovered on-line fame during his work demining the town of Chernihiv.

Nevertheless, he didn’t appear to be particularly fond of Trudeau – and reacted by barking loudly when the Canadian prime minister tried to step forward to move on his own congratulations.

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His handler Mykhailo Illiev advised Global News earlier than the event that this was his first time without work since the conflict began.

“We don’t have any time when we can chill out,” he said.

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

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

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

With information from International’s Amanda Connolly

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