Trudeau Says Putin Responsible For ‘Heinous War Crimes’ During Surprise Visit To Ukraine

08.05.2022 - 23:35 / etcanada.com

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

The brief trip was supposed to be kept under wraps until after Trudeau left Ukraine, but local officials and media broke the embargo Sunday morning.

During the visit, Trudeau met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and held a press conference in the Mariinskyi Palace, where he announced further military assistance and funding supports for Ukraine as it defends its country against the Russian invasion.

Read more: G7 leaders vow to wean off Russian energy as Ukraine enters talks for ‘peace settlement’

During the press conference, Zelenskyy welcomed Trudeau as a “good friend of our country.”

“We are currently facing a full-fledged aggression of Russia and this is a gesture of support we highly appreciate,” Zelenskyy said.

He said Canada and Ukraine “stand shoulder to shoulder against Russia’s tyranny.”

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Zelenskyy said he and Trudeau had also discussed weapons Ukraine was in need of and the economic needs of the country.

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

Trudeau said Canada will provide more military assistance, including providing more drone cameras, satellite imagery, small arms and ammunition, and announced sanctions against 40 more Russian defence actors and oligarchs.

Trudeau also pledged funding for de-mining operations as well as 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 next year. He said