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Kyiv, KOMPAS.com – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $500 million in new military aid to Ukraine during an unannounced trip to Kyiv on Saturday (06/10/2023).

The aid is being provided as Ukraine prepares to launch a counter-offensive against Russian troops and focuses on regular airstrikes.

Trudeau paid his respects at the memorial to Ukrainian soldiers who died fighting pro-Russian forces since 2014, met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and addressed the Ukrainian parliament.

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“We will be there with (you) as much as necessary, for as long as necessary,” he said, in footage of the conversation released by Kyiv authorities, as he sat across from the Ukrainian leader.

NATO member Canada, which has one of the largest Ukrainian diasporas in the world, has provided military and financial aid to Kyiv since Russia invaded in February 2022.

Ukraine wanted to join the NATO military alliance as soon as possible, but Zelensky realized that could not happen as the war with Russia raged on.

“Canada supports Ukraine’s accession to NATO as soon as conditions permit. Ukraine and Canada hope to address this issue at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July 2023,” reads a joint statement adopted after the talks.

Trudeau received a long standing ovation when he addressed parliament for 25 minutes, denouncing the Russian invasion and praising Ukraine’s democratic development.

He said the Ukrainian resistance aims for a shared future.

“You are the spearhead that determines the future of the 21st century,” he added.

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Zelensky said Ukraine is grateful to Canadians for their support and thanks.

While Trudeau was visiting Kyiv, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced that a Russian-registered Antonov-124 cargo plane had been seized at Toronto airport, the first asset seizure in Ottawa targeting to put pressure on Moscow.

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The Prime Minister of Canada was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and a speaker from Ukraine.

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