Canada reaffirms solidarity with Ukraine after heated Trump-Zelenskyy exchange

'For three years now, Ukrainians have fought with courage and resilience,' says prime minister

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday reiterated his country's support to Ukraine following a fiery exchange between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"Russia illegally and unjustifiably invaded Ukraine. For three years now, Ukrainians have fought with courage and resilience," said Trudeau on X, emphasizing Ukrainians' fight for "democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is a fight that matters to us all."

He said that "Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine and Ukrainians in achieving a just and lasting peace."

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine, and noted Zelenskyy's leadership and Ukraine's strategic value in deterring Russian aggression.

"He (Zelenskyy) has shown great leadership and courage," Joly said at an event in Vancouver shortly after the incident between Zelenskyy and Trump at the Oval Office.

Saying that the Ukrainian president "will never settle for a bad deal," she stressed that "it is for us important to make sure that we work with him and with our allies on that (ceasefire deal)."

"If we don't get a good deal for Ukraine, we’re sending a message to Russia, and we know that President (Vladimir) Putin has no red lines. If he has no red lines, it means that then NATO territory is at threat, and if NATO territory is at threat, we are at threat," Joly added.

Trudeau and Joly's remarks came after Zelenskyy got into a heated war of words with Trump and US Vice President JD Vance, who repeatedly accused the Ukrainian leader of being ungrateful for Americans' support in Kyiv's war effort.

The highly undiplomatic war of words lasted for roughly 10 minutes as Zelenskyy sought to defend his handling of the over three-year-long conflict with Russia.

Zelenskyy departed the White House following the public spat, and a planned signing ceremony for a deal on critical minerals and press conference were canceled.

Kaynak:

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