Trudeau Made A Surprise Visit To Ukraine & Took A Walk Through Abandoned Ruins (PHOTOS)
The PM says he "saw firsthand the brutality of Putin’s illegal war."
Justin Trudeau recently paid an unannounced visit to Ukraine, meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in person and witnessing firsthand what has been described as "the reckless brutality of Vladimir Putin’s illegal war."
The short trip was intended to be kept secret until the Canadian prime minister had returned home, but the news broke that he was visiting the country on Sunday, May 8.
During the visit, he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The two leaders have been in regular contact since the Russian military invaded Ukraine back in February, although this is the first time they have met privately in-person since.
He also held a press conference, during which the Canadian government announced an additional $50 million in military assistance and the allocation of $25 million towards humanitarian aid in the region.
Trudeau, alongside Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly, also visited the Canadian Embassy in Ukraine to mark its reopening.
There, they participated in a flag raising ceremony, which was intended to "symbolize the formal return of Canada’s diplomatic presence in Ukraine."
The Canadian representatives also visited the Kyiv suburb of Irpin — a city that has faced relentless Russian shellfire. Photos from the trip show Trudeau amongst abandoned buildings and ruins, which he says is leftover from "Vladimir Putin’s illegal war."
In a statement following his time in Irpin, Trudeau's office said, "Russian forces have terrorized and killed civilians and destroyed homes and neighbourhoods."
"At the same time, the Prime Minister also witnessed the strength and resilience of Ukrainians, and despite efforts by Russia, Kyiv still stands strong and proud today."
Sharing images from Irpin, the Canadian PM tweeted, "Canada will make sure [Russian forces are] held accountable for the war crimes they’re committing."
Global News reports that he also visited Bucha while in Ukraine, where Russian forces killed hundreds of civilians in a series of "egregious and appalling attacks."