Historic Visit By Prime Minister Trudeau To Meet With Ukrainian President Zelensky

Canada will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine

On May 8, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly made a surprise visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky. Due to the high-security risk, Trudeau’s visit became public once he had landed. They attended a flag-raising ceremony to mark the reopening of the Canadian Embassy in Ukraine. Trudeau expressed Canada’s strong support for Ukraine.

“Having our Canadian flag fly over the streets of Kyiv once again is just another testament to the strength and solidarity of Canadians and Ukrainians and how we continue to be with them.” Said Prime Minister Trudeau.

Larisa Galadza, Canada’s ambassador to Ukraine, and their team are gradually resuming diplomatic activities in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Meanwhile, at a press conference later, Trudeau said Canada would continue to support Ukraine with additional supplies, including an additional $50 million in military aid, $25 million in food aid, and $10 million in human rights and civil society and demining support for Ukraine. The military assistance includes 18 UAVs, $15 million in high-resolution satellite imagery, $1 million in weapons and ammunition, and M777 howitzer ammunition.

Trudeau also announced a one-year suspension of trade taxes on Imports from Ukraine and economic sanctions against Russia, including 21 oligarchs and close associates of the Russian regime, 19 members of the Russian defense ministry, and five entities that provide indirect or direct support to the Russian military.

“As Russia continues its ongoing illegal and unjustifiable war against Ukraine, Canada will continue to be there to support Ukraine and its people. I would like to thank President Zelensky for hosting this visit but also more importantly, for his leadership. Together with Ukrainians, President Zelensky is defending the values at the very heart of democracies. His courage and the courage of Ukrainians is inspiring, and we will continue to do everything we can to make sure Ukraine gets the support it needs.” Said Prime Minister Trudeau

Prime minister Trudeau also visited Irpin to see firsthand the brutality of the war, and he praised the Ukrainians for their resilience and strength.

“It was a true inspiration to see people step up to defend their lives, defend their community, defend a bright future for themselves, for the families in the country they love,” he said.

Nearly three months have passed since the Ukraine-Russia war began on February 24, with six rounds of negotiations and numerous wars without a peaceful outcome. The freedom of Ukrainians and the innocent people of both regions concern peacekeepers worldwide. In the best interest of Russia and Ukraine, it will soon reach an agreement to stop using weapons to resolve their political conflicts.