Trudeau says Putin responsible for ‘heinous battle crimes’ throughout shock visit to Ukraine – National

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

The transient journey was purported to be kept under wraps until after Trudeau left Ukraine, but native officials and media broke the embargo Sunday morning.

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

Throughout the go to, Trudeau met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and held a press convention within the Mariinskyi Palace, the place he introduced additional military assistance and funding helps for Ukraine as it defends its country in opposition to the Russian invasion.

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

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

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

“We're currently facing a full-fledged aggression of Russia and this can be a gesture of assist we highly appreciate,” Zelenskyy stated.

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

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

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

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

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Through the press convention, Trudeau announced Canada will present an additional $50 million in military help to Ukraine, including 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 additional Russian individuals – 21 oligarchs and close associates of the Russian regime and 19 people within the Russian defence sector. Five entities would even be sanctioned for “providing indirect or direct assist to the Russian military.”

Trudeau also pledged funding for de-mining operations as well as a $25 million grant to the World Food Programme for meals safety in Ukraine and a removing of all commerce tariffs for Ukrainian imports coming into Canada for the next year.

He said Canada can even provide new funding for ladies’s organizations, human rights defenders and civil society groups.

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“We will continue to do the work of being there for you with whatever we can, with no matter you want,” Trudeau said.

Trudeau was later requested by Ukrainian media if he was aware 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 continue handing out sanctions he’s going to need to sanction about 38 million Canadians before we even start to note,” Trudeau mentioned.

Trudeau excursions destroyed Ukrainian towns

Ukrainian officials have not been shy in emphasizing both their want for more provides in addition to their gratitude for Canadian assist in providing 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 jap Donbas region, where fighting has intensified.

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Many anticipate Putin to stage a warning to the West to not intrude throughout a Red Sq. speech in Moscow on Monday marking the World Struggle 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 at the moment, these past weeks, brings shame on the millions of people, on the thousands and thousands of Russians who sacrificed in the title of freedom. That's Putin’s legacy.”

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

His safety convoy included greater than 20 automobiles.

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

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

The Prime Minister then applauded Zelenskyy’s leadership all through the previous 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 precise his “admiration and respect for all of the moms in Ukraine.”

Learn extra: Ukraine needs more weapons as struggle with Russia enters ‘crucial’ phase: ambassador-designate

At the end of his tackle, Trudeau stated: “At this time we send a resounding message to the world that Canada and our allies continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine,” earlier than saying “Slava Ukraini.”

When asked if Canada could have performed extra to help Ukraine, Zelenskyy reiterated a typical plea that the country was lacking heavy weapons and inspired the assembled media to “use the internet” to find out which international locations could provide those weapons.

“Everyone knows which countries have the technical capabilities and have the weapons that happily will not be used on the territory of those countries. Which might provide us with those weapons – we all know this.”

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He stated financial support was second to weapons in terms of obligatory help and that Canada had supplied sufficient of that too, primarily by way of the C$1 billion in new loan sources by way of 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 nation that we also can't ask more from” – behind the three Baltic states of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.

During his visit, Trudeau and Zelenskyy participated within the G7 Leaders’ assembly, the place leaders of the world’s seven most advanced 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 stated in a joint assertion that they plan to additionally “elevate” a campaign in opposition to Russian elites who assist President Vladimir Putin.

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Talking after the meeting 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 stand with Ukraine and to face in opposition to Putin’s illegal and irresponsible invasion.”

Trudeau mentioned the world was extra decided to see Russia lose the war after witnessing the atrocities committed in cities corresponding 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 individuals and of the Ukrainian chief. And secondly he vastly underestimated the willpower and the power of countries around the globe to face 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 Overseas 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 on account of issues over a Russian invasion. The embassy first moved to the eastern 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 around the side of the building to try again.

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 stated.

“Having our Canadian flag fly over the streets of Kyiv as soon as again is simply another testament to the energy and solidarity of Canadians and Ukrainians and the way we proceed to be with them.”

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

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

— Ashleigh Stewart (@Ash_Stewart_) Could 8, 2022

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Sadly, the first try at raising the flag ended in failure

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

— Ashleigh Stewart (@Ash_Stewart_) May 8, 2022

On 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 worked at the embassy for five 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 companies, a statement later stated. Nevertheless, until additional discover, consular and immigration providers will continue to be offered in Poland and other European cities.

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

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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 Battle. 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 battle.

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

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 Battle.

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Within the video, which spans 15 minutes, Zelenskyy stands exterior a bombed condo constructing in Borodyanka, close to 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 throughout the press conference between Trudeau and Zelenskyy, to receive commendations for their work on demining the country.

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

One of those available to obtain a special medal for his demining work was a two-year-old Jack Russell Terrier named Patron. The de-mining canine discovered online fame throughout his work demining town of Chernihiv.

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

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His handler Mykhailo Illiev advised International News earlier than the occasion that this was his first time off because the warfare began.

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

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

He mentioned he and Patron hadn’t got down to “be widespread.”

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

With information from International’s Amanda Connolly

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