Canadian PM promises more aid for Ukraine on surprise visit to Kiev
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during an unannounced visit to the capital Kiev to show Ottawa’s support for the war against Russia.
Trudeau arrived in Kiev along with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, on Saturday.
The leader of the NATO country also met a group of Ukrainian soldiers who received training in Canada.
Canada has been one of Kiev's key allies since Russia launched its military campaign against Ukraine in February last year.
It has provided Kiev with significant military assistance, trained more than 36,000 soldiers and adopted sanctions against Moscow.
Trudeau said his government is committing another $500 million to help Ukraine's military, including by sending more weapons.
He said Canada will be part of multinational efforts to train Ukrainian fighter pilots and join a team of countries helping to maintain tanks while providing hundreds more missiles and additional rounds of ammunition.
The Canadian prime minister also announced more sanctions on 24 individuals and 17 entities for alleged support of Russia's war in Ukraine.
Last month Canada announced it would provide Ukraine with additional 43 AIM-9 missiles.
And in January this year, Canada purchased National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) and associated munitions to donate to Ukraine, at a total cost of $406 million. The United States will deliver the system on Canada’s behalf.
A NASAMS is a short to medium-range ground-based air defense system that protects against drone, missile, and aircraft attacks, with a high success rate.
This is the second time that Trudeau has made an unannounced visit to Kiev since the war began.
He last traveled to Ukraine in May 2022, when he reopened his nation’s embassy months after the start of the war.
The Canadian leader’s latest trip to the country was planned under a strict news blackout.
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