Status: 22/09/2023, 21:14 p.m.
CommentsShare
It was a "very exciting day for Canada," Prime Minister Trudeau said. © Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press/AP/dpa
On his trip to North America, Zelensky makes a surprise stop: In Canada, the Ukrainian president thanks for the support from Ottawa - and is assured of more in return.
Ottawa - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Ottawa for its support during his first visit to Canada since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression on his country - and was assured of further aid.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today made a "long-term, multi-year commitment to Zelenskyy that delivers predictable continued support for Ukraine" during his visit today. This included, among other things, 50 armored vehicles over the next three years or money to support mental health care.
"Moscow must lose once and for all"
In a speech to parliament, which was celebrated with standing applause and cheers, Zelenskyy thanked Ottawa extensively for the help so far. "Canada's support of Ukraine with weapons and equipment has allowed us to save thousands of lives," said the president, who was accompanied by his wife Olena Zelenska. "Russian aggression must end with our victory, so that Russia can never again bring genocide to Ukraine and will never try again. Moscow must lose once and for all," said Zelensky, who had already addressed the Canadian parliament via video in March 2022.
"Russian aggression must end with our victory," Zelensky says during his speech in Canada's House of Commons. © Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press/AP/dpa
Earlier, Zelensky was received at Parliament by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It was a "very exciting day for Canada" and he was pleased to be able to personally convey to Zelenskyy the "strong and unequivocal support" of the Canadians, Trudeau said. For his part, Zelensky conveyed to him the gratitude of the Ukrainians. Canada is a beautiful country, Zelenskyy continued. "I know it's beautiful, but of course I don't have time to see it now. After the victory, we'll be back for sure, maybe with the kids."
Zelensky's first visit to Canada since the start of the war
Afterwards, there was an exchange between the two, in which members of the Canadian government also participated. After his speech in parliament, Zelensky planned to travel on to Toronto and meet with business representatives and members of the Ukrainian community. Canada is considered an important supporter of Ukraine and, according to its own statements, has provided the country with more than 8.9 billion Canadian dollars (6.2 billion euros) since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomes his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska at Ottawa Airport. © Justin Tang/Canadian Press via ZUMA Press/dpa
This is Zelensky's first visit to Canada since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 - and the third stop on his trip to North America. Zelensky arrived in New York on Monday for the UN General Assembly and visited Washington on Thursday, where he was received by US President Joe Biden, among others, at the White House. The additional stop in Canada had been surprisingly announced during the night.
0
Also Read
Supply bottlenecks in Russia in the Ukraine war: Arms companies burst contracts with Putin
READ
"Habeck deceives the citizens again": CSU warns of new trouble with heating – now it's about wood
READ
Wave of refugees: Faeser sets up stationary border controls with Poland and the Czech Republic
READ
Russia fails with attack on German howitzers in Ukraine war
READ
Söder's hardest fight: The CSU is struggling for power in Bavaria – and for its future
READ
Fancy a voyage of discovery?
My Area
Part of his mission at the previous stations was to convince war-weary skeptics of his course and to explain why talks with Moscow are unthinkable for him at this point in time. Zelensky was less demanding than on previous occasions and emphasized his gratitude above all. Dpa
