Canada is loaning Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigators to help the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigate possible war crimes committed by Russia during the invasion of Ukraine.
Public Security Minister Marco Mendicino said in a statement on Tuesday that President Vladimir Putin’s “war machine” was “blindly destroying homes, hospitals and schools”.
“In the face of the blatant violation of international law by Putin and the Russian military and the unprovoked aggression, Canada will continue to work to ensure that they are held accountable for their unlawful acts. »
Canada is one of several dozen countries to have submitted the situation in Ukraine to the ICC Prosecutor’s Office. Mr. Mendicino said Tuesday that Canada was sending additional police resources at the request of the ICC prosecutor’s office.
Mr. Mendicino said that these investigators “have experience in the field and have the expertise to collect evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which can be used in a subsequent prosecution”.
“Canadian investigators will be assigned to teams that work to end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes that affect the entire international community, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. »
The move comes as Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met in Turkey on Tuesday to try to end the invasion that began on February 24, forcing 10 million Ukrainians from their homes, including 3.8 million fled the country.
Ukraine has offered to remain a neutral country, but its security would be guaranteed by a group of countries much like NATO’s article 5 provides, which specifies that an attack against one of its members constitutes a attack on all of its members.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday he had discussed the proposal in a phone call the day before with President Volodymyr Zelensky. But he dodged a question about his view of this Ukrainian proposal — and whether Canada had a role to play as a guarantor.
“The bottom line is that Canada will continue to be there to support Ukraine and oppose Russia every step of the way,” he said. We are in discussions with allies and partners in NATO and beyond on the best way forward in this regard. »
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly also dodged questions about Canada’s role in the ceasefire talks, after meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, on Tuesday.
She said Canadian efforts are focused on strengthening Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table, arming its forces with more weapons and imposing more sanctions. “More sanctions are coming, and also more lethal and non-lethal aid,” Ms. Joly said.
“It strengthens Ukraine at the negotiating table and our goal is to ensure that it is in a position of strength as it fights for its freedom — and as diplomacy continues. »
In a Twitter post about his conversation with Ms. Joly, Minister Kuleba said he believed Canada’s support for his country “remains rock solid.”
“We agreed on the need to further strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities and apply tougher sanctions to Russia. »
Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand said she spoke with her American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, on Tuesday to “coordinate their efforts to provide Ukraine with multifaceted military assistance”, her office said. in a press release.
Complete withdrawal of the Russians
In a speech earlier today in Vancouver, Trudeau said an end to hostilities would require a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.
“People ask me how this is going to end. I can tell you that this is not what the Ukrainians are asking for. They talk about how it must end: a complete withdrawal of Russian troops, and peace, democracy, freedom and sovereignty restored. »
Trudeau said Canada and its allies would remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine, continuing to provide military, economic and humanitarian assistance, as well as safe haven for civilians fleeing the country.
“We must remain determined to punish this criminal invasion with disastrous sanctions for Putin and his entourage, in order to make them pay, for as long as it takes. If Putin thinks we don’t have the strength to persevere, he is dead wrong,” Trudeau said.
The Prime Minister also stressed that there will be challenges and sacrifices for democratic countries like Canada, as the war in Ukraine leads to higher food and energy prices.
“But others around the world could face shortages and starvation. And the Ukrainians themselves are fighting for their lives and paying with their lives. »