For the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Justin Trudeau took an unannounced trip to Kyiv, along with Chrystia Freeland and Bill Blair, and were accompanied by Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, and Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo, all to show solidarity and make new commitments. Included in that was Trudeau signing a security assurance package with president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which has been in the works for several weeks now and comes on the heels of similar assurance agreements with France and Germany. Trudeau also took a couple of shots at Putin, calling him a “weakling,” who killed Alexei Navalny in order to crush his opposition.
Despite Russia’s relentless assault, Ukrainians are standing strong. We need to continue standing with them.
That’s why, today, President @ZelenskyyUa and I signed a historic security agreement. With this agreement, Canada is going to provide Ukraine with more critical military… pic.twitter.com/okQBNhAnte
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 24, 2024
Ukraine is definitely stronger now than it was two years ago. Today, we signed another security agreement, which strengthens the position of our people, particularly our soldiers. This is a strong and timely decision that will significantly strengthen our resilience.
Prime… pic.twitter.com/pkIAk9Jj2Z
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2024
As the people of Ukraine bravely fight for their sovereignty, their territory, their language, their culture, and their democracy, I want them to know this:
We are with you – and we’ll continue to make sure you have the military, financial, and humanitarian support you need. pic.twitter.com/YbVRhPlr5P
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 24, 2024
Freeland and Bill Blair visited an Operation Unifier training facility in Poland, and found that there is a real shortage of battlefield medicine equipment on the front lines.
There were a few events in Canada to mark the same anniversary, one of which was attended by Pierre Poilievre, who stated over social media that the Conservatives stand with Ukraine, despite his not doing a very good job of demonstrating it over the past few months.
Ukraine Dispatch:
A Russian attack overnight on Sunday destroyed a train station, shops and homes in Kostiantynivka near the front lines. Russians claim they have been moving to more advantageous positions around Avdiivka and Donetsk. Ukraine says they struck a major Russian steel factory during the anniversary of the invasion.
Russians destroyed the railway station building in Kostyantynivka, Donetsk oblast. According to preliminary information, the attack was carried out with S-300 missiles.
Source: National Police pic.twitter.com/6U2YmptQbt— UkraineWorld (@ukraine_world) February 25, 2024
President Zelenskyy gave the official figure of Ukrainian soldiers killed in the fighting at 31,000 thus far, which is the first time it’s been stated in over a year. He also warned that Russia is likely to attempt a new offensive before May. Ukraine’s defence minister says that delays in promised western aid is costing lives (but has anyone been pressuring defence manufacturers to ramp up their production?). The defence minister and army chief visited command posts near the front lines on Sunday.
I addressed the leaders of the G7, the world's largest democracies.
I thanked them for the past two years. The terrible day of February 24th, and all of the horror brought on by Russia, did not deprive Ukraine of a normal future.
Everyone should remember that imperial… pic.twitter.com/MYS44sNIjl
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2024
https://twitter.com/defenceu/status/1761450921609904450