Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues his tour of North America with a visit this Friday to Canada, which has a large Ukrainian diaspora and has supported Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion.
Late Thursday evening, Zelensky arrived in the capital Ottawa from the United States, where he was received by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who assured him Canada’s “unwavering support” in the conflict against Russia.
Volodymyr Zelensky, accompanied by his Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, is expected to meet the Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon, and deliver a speech to the Canadian Parliament.
With Justin Trudeau, he will then travel to Toronto where the two heads of state will meet business leaders and members of the Canadian-Ukrainian community.
“The Ukrainian people are the spearhead that, at this moment, determines the future of the 21st century,” declared the Prime Minister Trudeau in a statement Thursday evening.
He assured that Canada would remain alongside Ukraine “as long as necessary” and that will continue to provide “unwavering support to the Ukrainian people who are fighting for their sovereignty and democracy.”
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022Canada has provided more than $8.9 billion in support to Ukraine through a wide range of measures, including $4.95 billion in direct financial support and more than $1.8 billion in aid military.
Ottawa has also trained more than 36,000 Ukrainian troops and provided military assistance including eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks, an armored recovery vehicle, 39 armored personnel carriers, anti-tank weapons, drones and communications equipment. satellite.
Canada, the last G7 country visited by the leader, has the second largest Ukrainian diaspora in the world, after Russia, with around 1.4 million people of Ukrainian origin on its territory.
This is the Ukrainian president’s first official visit to Canada since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. In March, Zelensky addressed Canadian MPs via video conference.
“This visit comes at a crucial time as Ukrainian soldiers courageously defend their country and freedom in Europe,” Ukrainian-Canadian Congress President Alexandra Chyczij said in a statement.
“Ukraine will win, but they need our help. This is a historic opportunity for Canada to support Ukraine’s victory.
On Thursday, President Zelensky, visiting Washington, thanked United States President Joe Biden for the American assistance provided and called for this support to continue even after a year and a half of conflict.
Joe Biden, in turn, detailed on Thursday new military aid amounting to $325 million, without however the long-range tactical missiles on which Kiev insists.
Biden also guaranteed the shipment of Abrams tanks, which are expected to arrive in Ukraine “next week.”
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