Newsman: The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a secret visit to Ukraine on Sunday, joining the list of VIPs who have visited the war-torn country since Russia’s invasion began in February.
Prime minister Trudeau said the Ukraine visit is to remind President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Canada’s ‘unwavering support.’
“Having the Canadian flag fly over the streets of Kyiv once again is yet another testament to the incredible strength and solidarity of Canadians and Ukrainians,” Trudeau said in video shared by Global News.
Speaking in French, Trudeau said the embassy had been reopened and Canada’s ambassador would be posted there as of Sunday.
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said Trudeau would meet in person with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to “reaffirm Canada’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people.”
“I’m in Ukraine with @cafreeland and @melaniejoly today. We’re here to show our support for Ukraine and its people,” Trudeau said later on Twitter. “Our message to President @ZelenskyyUa and Ukrainians is this: Canada will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. More to come on our visit.”
Justin Trudeau told reporters last week that he speaks regularly with Zelenskyy and that his deputy is “always on the phone” with her Ukrainian counterparts.
“Both leaders underscored their commitment to continue holding Russia accountable,” according to a White House readout of the call. Biden has yet to visit Ukraine since the start of the conflict, though first lady Jill Biden was also in the war-torn country Sunday.
The Canadian prime minister is expected to join a meeting of G-7 leaders from Kyiv later Sunday, which Zelenskyy will also attend.
Trudeau was joined by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine Larisa Galadza as he raised the Canadian flag at the embassy in Kyiv and announced its reopening.
Trudeau’s visit comes a day before Russia’s Victory Day celebration, which marks the defeat of the Nazis in World War II. Military analysts have been bracing for Russian President Vladimir Putin to use the day to potentially escalate violence in Ukraine.
News of the prime minister’s trip broke Sunday morning when photos of the delegation in Irpin showed up on social media.
Photos shared by the mayor of Irpin, Oleksandr Markushyn, show Trudeau touring the town outside Kyiv, which was heavily attacked earlier in the conflict.
“He came to Irpin to see with his own eyes all the horror that the Russian occupiers had done to our city,” Markushyn wrote on Telegram. “And, of course, he was shocked.”
The prime minister is expected to join a meeting of G-7 leaders from Kyiv later Sunday, which Zelenskyy will also attend.
