Bisnis.com, JAKARTA – Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau announced new military aid to Ukraine valued at 500 million Canadian dollars or approximately 5.55 trillion rupees. The aid was announced during Trudeau’s impromptu visit to Ukraine’s war-torn capital Kyiv on Saturday (10/6/2023).
The Canadian assistance was announced as Ukraine prepares to launch a counter-offensive against Russian forces and grapples with regular airstrikes.
Trudeau paid tribute at a memorial in downtown Kyiv to Ukrainian soldiers who have been killed in battles against pro-Russian forces since 2014.
Trudeau also met with President Volodymyr Zelensky to have a conversation. Trudeau can be seen seated across from Zelensky in footage of the conversation released by Kyiv authorities.
“We will continue to be by (your) side as best we can,” he said. Reuters, Saturday (06/10/2023).
Canada, which is a member of NATO, has provided military and financial assistance to Ukraine during Russia’s large-scale invasion since February 2022.
“Today I can announce that we will provide $500 million (Canadian) in new funding for military assistance,” he told reporters at a joint press conference.
Ukraine wants to join the NATO military alliance as soon as possible, but Zelensky said he realized that couldn’t happen as the war with Russia still raged.
“Canada supports Ukraine’s entry into NATO as soon as conditions permit. Ukraine and Canada look forward to discussing these issues at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July 2023,” according to a joint statement.
During the interview, Zelensky said that Ukraine is grateful to Canada for its support
“Thank you very much. People of Canada, and of course, your whole team, government and parliament. Really. It’s a much needed help,” he said.
Trudeau’s trip to Kyiv came after overnight Russian missile and drone attacks on targets outside the capital, including Odessa, the Poltava region and Kharkiv.
The Prime Minister of Canada was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland who is fluent in Ukrainian.
Check out other news and articles on Google News
“Tvaholic. Beer guru. Lifelong internet nerd. Infuriatingly humble pop culture scholar. Friendly food advocate. Freelance alcohol fan. Incurable bacon ninja.”
