Key Takeaways:
- PM Justin Trudeau stated that Canada will continue to support Ukraine “for as long as it takes” as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its second week.
- Ukraine is defending its cities against Russian sieges, with Russian forces taking control of the large southern port city of Kherson.
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its 2nd week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated Friday that Canada will continue supporting Ukraine “for as long as it takes.”
Trudeau told members of Toronto’s Ukrainian community that there was a global “slippage” of democracies, with disinformation on social media “turning people against democratic values” and nations turning to “slightly more authoritarian leaders.”
“Unfortunately, that slipping over the years emboldened (Russian President Vladimir) Putin,” Trudeau said.
“Made him believe he’d be able to get away with it in Ukraine.”
Also read: Why is the price of gas rising despite Canada’s refusal to import Russian oil?
Trudeau stated that the West did not have a “clear, strong pushback” after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, noting that the greatest significant consequence was Russia’s expulsion from the G8 international group.
Trudeau, however, stated that the response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was different and that there was “hard” pushback from countries.
Canada and its allies have imposed sanctions on Russia’s central bank and oligarchs, which have contributed to the nation’s “rapid collapse,” according to Trudeau.
Trudeau will travel to Europe next week to coordinate the response to Russia, meeting with officials in London, Berlin, Riga, Latvia, as well as Warsaw, Poland.
The fight against Russia, according to Trudeau, isn’t “just a fight for Ukraine.”
“It’s a fight for people everywhere’s integrity, sovereignty, and ability to choose the path they want it for their future,” he stated.
Ukraine is defending its cities from Russian sieges, with the large southern port city of Kherson falling to Russian forces.
Trudeau’s remarks follow his earlier Friday defense of NATO’s decision to reject a no-fly zone over Ukraine, which he claimed would result in an “unfortunate” escalation of the conflict.
“What we have so far avoided — and will continue to avoid,” Trudeau said, “is (creating) a condition in which NATO forces are all in direct conflict with Russian soldiers.”
“That would be an unfortunate level of escalation that we must avoid.”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has called for a no-fly zone to protect from Russian air attacks.
Source: Global News
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