Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday made his first visit to close ally Canada, where he was guaranteed a warmer welcome than he received from some US politicians who are hesitant to provide more military aid.
Canada is one of Kyiv’s staunchest supporters in its war against Russia and is set to announce during the visit that it will send more weapons to Ukraine, according to a government official.
“Canada will continue to support Ukraine as long as it is needed and we will always stand firm to defend the rule of law and order based on international rules,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in New York on Thursday.
Zelensky will address parliament in Ottawa and then hold a press conference with Trudeau.
He spoke to lawmakers virtually in March 2022.
Ihor Michalchyshyn, executive director of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress lobby group, said Canada is influential given its membership in both the Group of Seven countries and NATO and noted that all Canadian political parties support Ukraine.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shake hands and hug during a joint press conference, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 10, 2023. REUTERS
“So I think it’s right for the president to expect and ask for more from his Canadian partners,” he said in an interview.
“If Ukraine’s friends want Ukraine to win the war, then the only way that will happen is with renewed and more military support.”
There are 1.4 million people of Ukrainian descent in Canada, the third most after Ukraine and Russia.
Zelensky listens during an event thanking Americans for their support of Ukraine in its war with Russia, at the National Archives in Washington DC, on September 21, 2023. REUTERS
In Washington, Zelensky appealed to US lawmakers on Thursday for continued support amid Republican doubts about whether Congress should approve a new round of aid.
While there is no such division in Canada, it does not have the deep pockets or military reserves of the United States, Germany and other major supporters.
Since the beginning of 2022, Canada has provided more than C$8 billion ($5.9 billion) in aid to Ukraine, including more than C$1.8 billion in military aid.
Zelensky meets with President Biden in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington DC, on September 21, 2023. REUTERS
The Canadian government official said the arms deal Trudeau may announce on Friday is bigger than the C$33 million Ottawa announced on Sunday to help Kyiv buy missile defense.
The official asked to remain anonymous because final details have yet to be agreed.
David Perry, a security analyst at the Canadian Institute of Global Affairs, said he expected Ottawa to offer more combat support vehicles as well as training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets as part of the arms deal.
($1 = 1.3485 Canadian dollars)
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
