Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be part of world leaders in Kyiv on Monday as Ukraine marks the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated, as a Ukrainian diplomat urged Canada to “step up” its help.
Zelenskyy confirmed throughout a information convention in Kyiv Sunday night that he’ll meet with Trudeau in individual – certainly one of 13 international leaders attending a summit on peace and safety for Ukraine.
“Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be here with a visit tomorrow,” Zelenskyy stated in Ukrainian.
“He is chairing the G7 at the moment so he will tell me what is happening with the relationship with the U.S.”
The information convention was translated into English by Ukrainian broadcaster UATV.
The Prime Minister’s Workplace has not publicly confirmed Trudeau’s journey and didn’t reply to questions on Zelenskyy’s remarks Sunday.
This could be Trudeau’s fourth go to to Ukraine because the conflict started, and can virtually definitely be his final as Canada’s prime minister. He has stated he’ll step down after a brand new Liberal chief is chosen on March 9.
Zelenskyy stated European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen and delegates from Nordic and Baltic nations are additionally attending Monday’s summit in individual, and two dozen leaders will be part of nearly.
“This is an important opportunity to discuss Ukraine’s strategy and the framework for security guarantees,” Zelenskyy stated.
Ukraine’s allies are searching for to shore up help for the war-torn nation as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for an settlement to finish the conflict. Trump administration officers have held talks with Russia with out Ukraine on the desk, and are signalling that an eventual deal may see Moscow maintain a minimum of a number of the territory it has occupied because it initially invaded Ukraine in 2014.
The U.S. has additionally appeared to just accept Russia’s place that Ukraine ought to by no means be part of NATO, and is pushing Ukraine to present entry to its essential minerals as compensation for American navy support.
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Zelenskyy stated Sunday a cope with the U.S. on minerals was making progress, and that he can be prepared to surrender the presidency if doing so would obtain a long-lasting peace for his nation underneath NATO’s safety.
“If to achieve peace, you really need me to give up my post, I’m ready,” he stated.
Responding to a journalist’s query on whether or not he’d commerce his workplace for peace, Zelenskyy stated, “I can trade it for NATO.”
Each Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have known as for elections in Ukraine, which have been suspended underneath the martial regulation Zelenskyy imposed when Russia invaded in 2022. Trump has known as Zelenskyy a “dictator;” Zelenskyy had accused Trump of residing in a “disinformation space,” angering U.S. officers.
Oleh Nikolenko, Ukraine’s consul normal in Toronto, advised World Information the rhetoric coming from the U.S. is “counterproductive” and can solely function “an invitation (for Russia) to commit more aggression.”
Ukrainian officers stated Russia launched 267 strike drones into Ukraine in a single day on Saturday, greater than in another single assault of the conflict. Moscow has continued to fireside ballistic missiles on Ukraine, together with a minimum of three on Sunday, as its officers maintain talks with Washington.
Nikolenko stated Ukrainian negotiators are pushing for safety ensures from the U.S. as a part of any financial or minerals deal.
Trump and his advisors are calling on Europe to take the lead on shoring up safety for Ukraine, which European leaders have stated they’re keen to do and Ukrainians say they’re welcoming.
Canada additionally must be a part of these safety conversations, Nikolenko stated.
“We think that at this time, it’s really high time for Canada to play a leadership role,” he stated. “Canada can actually fill a number of gaps proper now: navy help, humanitarian, demining, coaching of our forces.
“We really hope that Canada can step up its support right now, as we’re in a critical time, I would say.”
Trudeau has known as for Ukraine to be dropped at the negotiating desk rapidly, one thing he expressed in a name with Zelenskyy final week.
On Wednesday, Trudeau participated nearly in a gathering with European leaders convened by French President Emmanuel Macron to provide you with a response to Trump’s overtures to Russia.
Trudeau spoke Saturday with Trump by cellphone, and each nations stated Ukraine was one of many matters of dialogue.
Ottawa is a significant donor to Ukraine, with the Kiel Institute for the World Economic system rating Canada as fifth in total allocations in its Ukraine Help Tracker, which span navy, monetary and humanitarian contributions.
Canada ranks third for the quantity of economic allocations of Ukraine, notably in pledging loans meant to maintain the nation solvent and offering funding rapidly after it’s allotted.
However Canada takes the twentieth spot for navy allocations weighted by inhabitants, and analysts have criticized Ottawa for delays in offering tools sought by Ukraine.
Canadian International Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly stated final week that Canada needs to be “involved in protecting Ukraine” when the conflict ends, although Ottawa has not stated what which may entail. Her workplace wouldn’t reply whether or not that meant Canadian troops on the bottom in Ukraine.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who will journey to Washington this week together with Macron, has stated his authorities is able to deploy troops to Ukraine to assist uphold a ceasefire if one happens.
The 2 leaders spoke by cellphone on Sunday forward of their U.S. journey and stated the U.Okay. and Europe should “show united leadership in support of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression,” Starmer’s workplace stated.
Nikolenko stated Ukrainians in Canada are feeling exhaustion and “anger” because the conflict continues and the geopolitical panorama shifts, however wouldn’t say if that anger is directed towards the U.S.
“Their anger is with the war — that war continues, that Russia fires the drones and missiles on Ukrainian cities, that Ukrainian civilians continue to die,” he stated. “They’re indignant as a result of they need this conflict to finish in a simply method.
“I want to stress that there should be a just peace, and this is what the Ukrainians want.”
—with information from The Canadian Press
