2024-02-24 11:37:14
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in kyiv on Saturday morning for a show of support for Ukraine, two years following the Russian invasion. He is accompanied by three European allies, namely Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo and the President of the European Union, Ursula Von Der Leyen.
All of them accepted the invitation from the government of Ukraine to come to the capital to send a signal that their support for kyiv is as strong as in the first days of the conflict. An opportunity to support President Volodymyr Zelensky, to commemorate the memory of the victims of the conflict and to discuss the follow-up to the war effort.
Furthermore, the leaders will take advantage of their visit to kyiv to hold, in hybrid mode, a G7 meeting to discuss, among other things, the possibility of toughening the tone regarding the sanctions imposed on Moscow.
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Justin Trudeau came to show his support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (center), accompanied by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Union President Ursula Von Der Leyen and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo.
Photo: The Canadian Press / Nathan Denette
Ukraine’s president has been invited to join the meeting, where he hopes to get more than moral support from the seven major powers.
As the war enters its third year, Mr. Zelensky must redouble his efforts to maintain the momentum of solidarity with Ukraine and obtain concrete commitments in terms of financing and the supply of arms and ammunition.
A Trudeau-Zelensky tête-à-tête
This is the third time since the Russian invasion that Justin Trudeau has visited Ukraine and, this time once more, it will be the opportunity for a tête-à-tête with President Zelensky.
The Prime Minister did not arrive at this meeting empty-handed, it is said in Mr. Trudeau’s entourage. He took stock of the security guarantees that Canada is committed to providing to Ukraine to ensure its defense.
You fought with an ingenuity and tenacity that showed the world what Ukrainians are capable of. As I said last June, you are the spearhead that will determine the course of the 21st century.
Mr. Trudeau is also expected to participate in several commemorations throughout the day, including the laying of a wreath, before ending the day with a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
To mark the occasion, Justin Trudeau will be surrounded by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, the Minister of National Defense, Bill Blair, and the Chief of Staff of the Canadian Armed Forces, General Wayne Eyre.
Canada’s new commitments will also be scrutinized by its allies, since, despite repeated promises, Ottawa has still not reached the target of 2% of its GDP in military spending, set by NATO. Canada’s spending is stagnating at around 1.4%, while smaller Alliance member Poland has announced that its military spending will exceed 4% of its GDP in 2024.
Asked regarding this this week, Justin Trudeau did not want to make a commitment and limited himself to saying that his government would continue to present its investments and proposals in a timely manner.
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