(OTTAWA) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced increased support for Ukraine and a new hydrogen deal with Europe on Tuesday, alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Trudeau said Canada will extend the engineering training mission in Ukraine until at least next fall. Canadian medical trainers will also be deployed to help Ukrainian forces acquire combat medical skills.
“Canada is already doing far more than its fair share compared to others and going far beyond what is necessary. So I want to thank Canada for that,” said Mr.me von der Leyen at a joint press conference with Mr. Trudeau in Kingston, Ont.
She added that the military training operation Canada launched in Ukraine in 2015 had an impact on the initial successes of “much better trained” Ukrainian troops after the Russian invasion began in February 2022.
Trudeau announced that Ottawa will spend $3 million to support the clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine, in addition to the $32 million already invested in mine action in the country. The European Union (EU) is investing €43 million in the same effort.
The EU has now named Canada as a partner country on economic sanctions against Russia, and the two are working together to supply Canadian power transformers to support Ukraine’s electricity grid.
Mr. Trudeau reiterated that Canada would be present as long as necessary alongside Europe to support Ukraine.
Ottawa also signed a new hydrogen accord with the European Union, which Prime Minister Trudeau says will mobilize investment, support businesses and deliver clean energy on both sides of the Atlantic.
“We believe in the power of cooperation, solidarity and multilateralism,” said Mr.me von der Leyen. We are not just partners, we are true friends. »
As part of broader discussions on climate change and clean energy, Ms.me von der Leyen mentioned that Canada and the EU had made progress on an agreement on critical minerals, signed in 2021. She described these minerals as “the cornerstone of the clean economy”.
Canada and the EU are also considering a joint “green alliance” that would focus on strengthening energy and climate cooperation at all levels.
Ovation in the House of Commons
Mr. Trudeau and Mr.me von der Leyen were in the morning at the military base in Kingston to meet with members of the Canadian Armed Forces deployed in Poland to help Ukrainian refugees.
In the evening, M.me von der Leyen received a standing ovation as she entered the House of Commons in Ottawa, where she delivered a speech discussing Canada’s ties to Europe.
She spoke in particular about support for Ukraine, as well as links on energy.
“As the future of energy is renewable energy, our partnership with Canada is crucial to accelerating the transition to clean energy,” said Ms.me von der Leyen.
“We have made our climate goals into laws, we have put a price on carbon and we have proven that we can develop the economy and reduce emissions”, she added before being warmly applauded.
On the eve of International Women’s Day, the first woman elected to the presidency of the European Commission accused Russia of using sexual violence as a weapon of war, in addition to calling its aggression against Ukraine a “war against Women’s rights “.
She also pointed out that Ukrainian women have “broken the glass ceiling over the heads of their Russian invaders” to fight for their country.
Mme Von der Leyen concluded her speech with a call to arms on gender equality.
“We have a duty to show society what a world where the odds are fair looks like,” she said.
“And this duty is exercised every day. Not just for International Women’s Day. »
Mme Von der Leyen is due to meet Governor General Mary Simon on Wednesday morning.