On Sunday, Canada’s prime minister paid a surprise visit to Ukraine, accusing Russia’s president of “heinous war crimes.”
“Vladimir Putin is clearly accountable for heinous war crimes. Accountability is required “At a news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Justin Trudeau said.
“Canada will stand by Ukraine as it seeks justice for the Ukrainians killed and brutalized by Russia.”
Trudeau announced his travel to the village of Irpin, near Kyiv, on Twitter, to “express our support for Ukraine and its people.”
“President Zelenskyy and Ukrainians should know that Canada will always stand shoulder to shoulder with them. More on our visit to come “he continued
On the visit, Irpin Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn said on Telegram: “I’ve just had an honor to meet with the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, who came to Irpin to see with his own eyes all the horror which Russian occupiers have caused to our town.”
“I hope for the support of Mr. Justin Trudeau in organizing the efforts of the Ukrainian diaspora in Canada to repair the infrastructure facilities in Irpin.”
Later, after meeting with Zelenskyy, Trudeau pledged more military support to Ukraine, including drone cameras, satellite imagery, small arms, ammunition, and funding for landmine clearing operations and announced new sanctions on 40 Russian individuals and five entities.
Canada is providing $25 million to the World Food Program for food security in Ukraine, he said, while also announcing the reopening of Canada’s Embassy in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy welcomed Trudeau as a “good friend of our country.”
During his visit, Trudeau was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly.
Irpin was retaken by Ukrainian forces in late March after Russia launched its war on the country on Feb. 24.
At least 3,309 civilians have been killed and 3,493 others injured in Ukraine since Russia launched a war on the country, according to UN estimates. The true toll is feared to be much higher.
More than 5.8 million people have fled to other countries, with some 7.7 million people internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.