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

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

The brief trip was alleged to be stored 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 vitality as Ukraine enters talks for ‘peace settlement’

In the course of the go to, Trudeau met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and held a press conference within the Mariinskyi Palace, the place he announced additional navy assistance and funding supports for Ukraine because it defends its country against the Russian invasion.

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

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

In the course of the press convention, Zelenskyy welcomed Trudeau as a “good pal of our nation.”

“We're at present facing a full-fledged aggression of Russia and it is a gesture of help we extremely appreciate,” Zelenskyy stated.

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

The pair had additionally discussed 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 the best way to flip that into actuality.”

Read extra: Russian official claims U.S. ‘immediately taking part’ in Ukraine battle as ‘Victory Day’ nears

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In the course of the press conference, Trudeau introduced Canada will present an extra $50 million in military 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 additionally introduced sanctions against 40 additional Russian people – 21 oligarchs and shut associates of the Russian regime and 19 individuals in the Russian defence sector. 5 entities would also be sanctioned for “providing indirect or direct assist to the Russian navy.”

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

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

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“We'll continue to do the work of being there for you with no matter we are able to, with no matter you need,” Trudeau said.

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

Trudeau tours destroyed Ukrainian towns

Ukrainian officials have not been shy in emphasizing both their want for extra supplies in addition to their gratitude for Canadian support in offering weapons, money and diplomatic assist.

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 combating has intensified.

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Many anticipate Putin to level a warning to the West to not interfere during a Crimson Square speech in Moscow on Monday marking the World Warfare 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 present, these past weeks, brings shame on the hundreds of thousands of individuals, on the tens of millions 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 heavily bombarded by Russian shelling throughout 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 quickly 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 battle” and said Russian President Vladimir Putin should face consequences for committing battle crimes.

“I additionally witnessed the resilience of Ukrainians as folks rebuild, as people stood even outnumbered eight to one to defend not simply their properties however the entire city behind them of Kyiv,” Trudeau stated.

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

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

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

At the end of his handle, Trudeau stated: “Right now 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 achieved more to assist Ukraine, Zelenskyy reiterated a standard plea that the nation was missing heavy weapons and inspired the assembled media to “use the internet” to find out which international locations may present these weapons.

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

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He said financial help was second to weapons by way of necessary assistance and that Canada had offered enough of that too, primarily by way of the C$1 billion in new loan assets through the Worldwide Monetary Fund and C$500 million in army help that was announced on Thursday.

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

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

The G7 leaders stated in a joint assertion that they plan to also “elevate” a campaign in opposition to Russian elites who support President Vladimir Putin.

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Talking after the meeting on Russia’s nuclear threats, Trudeau stated: “No amount 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 against Putin’s unlawful and irresponsible invasion.”

Trudeau stated the world was extra determined to see Russia lose the war 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 energy of the Ukrainian people and of the Ukrainian leader. And secondly he vastly underestimated the dedication and the flexibility of countries around the world to face against his actions and stand in support 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 lift the Canadian flag as soon as once more.

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The Canadian authorities introduced the closure of the embassy on February 12 as a consequence of concerns over a Russian invasion. The embassy first moved to the eastern metropolis of Lviv and then to Poland.

Nevertheless, the flag-raising ceremony briefly went awry when the chosen flagpole’s mechanisms failed and the group had been pressured across the side of the constructing to try again.

As 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 raising it again above the Canadian embassy,” Trudeau mentioned.

“Having our Canadian flag fly over the streets of Kyiv as soon as again is just another testomony 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 just announced the reopening of the Canadian Embassy

"Having the Canadian flag fly over the streets of Kyiv once once more is one more testomony to the energy 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 ended 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

On 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 labored at the embassy for five years, stated he was merely doing his job.

Embassy staff will resume diplomatic operations in Kyiv, as a part of a gradual restoring of Canada’s full diplomatic presence and services, a statement later said. Nonetheless, until further discover, consular and immigration services will proceed to be provided in Poland and other European cities.

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

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

May 8 is the country’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 holiday to a day earlier to coincide with Victory in Europe Day, celebrated by the Allies to mark the end of the struggle.

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

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

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In the video, which spans 15 minutes, Zelenskyy stands exterior a bombed apartment constructing in Borodyanka, near Kyiv, and asks: “By no means once more? Try telling Ukraine that.”

De-mining focus for Ukraine

A few dozen members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces had been in attendance through the press conference between Trudeau and Zelenskyy, to receive commendations for their work on demining the country.

Part of Trudeau’s new supports announced 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 during his work demining the city of Chernihiv.

Nonetheless, he didn’t seem to be significantly fond of Trudeau – and reacted by barking loudly when the Canadian prime minister tried to step forward to go on his personal congratulations.

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His handler Mykhailo Illiev advised International Information earlier than the event that this was his first day without work since the battle started.

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

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

He mentioned he and Patron hadn’t set out to “be standard.”

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

With files from International’s Amanda Connolly

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