In full commemoration of the end of the Second World War in Europe, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau caused a surprise on Sunday by traveling to Kyiv to reopen the Canadian embassy and offer support to the Ukrainian people.
Updated at 12:14 a.m.
The Canadian Prime Minister is the second leader of a G7 country to travel to Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky, after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson last April.
It was the first time Mr. Trudeau had met Mr. Zelensky in person since the start of the war. Deputy Premier Chrystia Freeland and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly accompanied him.
PHOTO REUTERS
Volodymyr Zelensky welcomes Justin Trudeau, Chrystia Freeland and Mélanie Joly to Kyiv.
“It’s a very strong symbol, because it means that Canada judges that it is safe for its political leader to end up in Kyiv, in the midst of war! says Dominique Arel, holder of the Chair of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Ottawa. “The immediate danger in Kyiv is gone, otherwise the embassies wouldn’t come back. »
Another striking symbol, according to Mr. Arel: Justin Trudeau and Volodymyr Zelensky participated side by side, by videoconference, in the third annual meeting of the G7 which took place on Sunday afternoon. It was announced that the seven countries would formally end imports of Russian oil “in an appropriate and reasoned manner”, according to the final statement.
PHOTO REUTERS
Justin Trudeau and Volodymyr Zelensky at the virtual G7 meeting
According to Yann Breault, a specialist in post-Soviet states at the Institute of International Studies in Montreal, Mr. Trudeau’s visit is a way for Canada to promote its image internationally. “Of course, Canadian military aid is not decisive in the outcome of the conflict,” he underlines. So it seems to me more of a strategic positioning for Canada’s image, as a defender of power in Kyiv. »
Visit to Irpin
The Canadian delegation took the opportunity to visit Irpin, a suburb of Kyiv devastated by the fighting, to see the effects of the war. “It’s truly inspiring to see how people have stood up to defend their lives, defend their communities, defend a bright future for them and their families in a country they love,” Trudeau said at the conference. hurry. In the process, he also accused Vladimir Putin of being responsible for war crimes.
PHOTO TAKEN BY IRPIN TOWN HALL, VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Canadian delegation to Irpin
Earlier, a ceremony was held in Kyiv to reopen the Canadian Embassy in the capital. Ambassador Larisa Galadza was also present. The maple leaf was finally raised next to the building, because the first flagpole chosen was broken.
“I was very touched to raise the Canadian flag. It is a recognition of the bravery and the capacities of the Ukrainian people who knew how to defend this city, testified Mr. Trudeau. It’s very good to see the Canadian flag being there in the streets of Kyiv. »
Other countries have already reopened their embassies in Kyiv, including France and Italy in the third week of April, and the UK last week.
New support, new sanctions
The Canadian Prime Minister took the opportunity to announce new military aid to Ukraine, including 18 drone cameras, high-resolution satellite imagery, small arms and ammunition, worth $50 million.
In this war, beyond having weapons, it is the ability to obtain real-time information on the position of enemy forces [qui est importante], emphasizes Mr. Arel. In terms of cameras, imaging, we have a cutting-edge industry in Canada.
Dominique Arel, holder of the Chair of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Ottawa
The federal government will also contribute $25 million to the World Food Program to ensure food security in Ukraine. Products imported from that country will not be subject to tariffs for the next year, Trudeau said.
Ottawa will impose sanctions against 40 other individuals and 5 Russian entities and will also contribute $10 million to support human rights, civil society and demining activities in Ukraine.
“Climbing Mechanics”
“The entire G7 is committed to banning or phasing out imports of Russian oil,” the White House announced on Sunday. This decision “will deal a severe blow to the main artery supplying the economy of [Vladimir] Putin and deprive him of the income he needs to finance his war” against Ukraine, says the American executive.
According to Yann Breault, the Canadian positioning risks having long-term consequences. “Even if it seems good for Canada to be on the right side of history,” he observes, “we are participating somewhat in the mechanics of escalation, which seems to be leading us towards a direct confrontation between our coalition and Russia. »