Trudeau And Other Foreign Leaders Visit Ukraine To Show Support On War’s 3rd Anniversary- wna24
Trudeau And Other Foreign Leaders Visit Ukraine To Show Support On War’s 3rd Anniversary | Image:
AP
Kyiv: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and dozens of other European leaders visited Ukraine’s capital on Monday to mark the third anniversary of the country’s war with Russia in a conspicuous show of support for Kyiv amid deepening uncertainty about the Trump administration’s commitment to helping it fend off Russia’s invasion.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and President’s Chief of Staff Andrii Yermak welcomed important supporters of Ukraine, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, at the train station.
Trudeau Pledges $5 Billion in Seized Russian Assets to Ukraine
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pledged 25 light armoured vehicles to Ukraine and to provide the country with $5 billion in funds from seized Russian assets.
Trudeau said Russia invaded Ukraine “to erase Ukrainian history and expand their empire.”
On X, Trudeau expressed his support for Ukraine, stating, “Canada stands with Ukraine — now and always.”
He also said Canada will provide a grant to help Ukraine with energy security as Russia attacks the country’s power grid.
Trudeau’s remarks did not touch on Ukraine’s possible membership in the NATO military alliance
Ursula’s Visit and Unwavering Support to Ukraine
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in a pots on X, wrote that the whole of Eurpoe was in Kyiv “because Ukraine is in Europe.”
“In this fight for survival, it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake. It’s Europe’s destiny,” she added.
Ukrainian and European officials have expressed concern over U.S. President Donald Trump’s friendly stance toward Russian President Vladimir Putin and his harsh criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
After Claiming Victory, Germany’s Merz Sends Message of Support to Kyiv
After his victory in Sunday’s German elections, conservative leader Friedrich Merz, a strong supporter of Ukraine, wrote on X on Monday: “Now more than ever, we must ensure Ukraine is in a position of strength.”
“For a fair peace, the country that is under attack must be part of peace negotiations,” Merz added.
Shifting US Policy Raises Concerns Among European Leaders
The shift in Washington’s policy has raised alarm in Europe, where governments worry about being sidelined in efforts to broker a peace deal and are contemplating how to compensate for potential cuts in U.S. aid to Ukraine. This change has also put a strain on transatlantic relations.
Guests, including European Council President Antonio Costa and the prime ministers of Northern European countries and Spain, were scheduled to attend events marking the anniversary and hold discussions with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on further support for Ukraine.
On Sunday, Costa announced plans to convene an emergency summit of the 27 EU leaders in Brussels on March 6, with Ukraine at the forefront of the agenda. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to visit Washington this week. EU foreign ministers also approved a new round of sanctions against Russia on Monday, targeting its “shadow fleet” of ships used to bypass oil and gas restrictions or transport stolen Ukrainian grain, adding 74 vessels to the list.