Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Ukrainians had fought with “courage and resilience” against Russia, who had “illegally and unjustifiably invaded Ukraine.” His comments came after a heated discussion between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington on Feb. 28.
“Their fight for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is a fight that matters to us all,” Trudeau said in a statement. “Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine and Ukrainians in achieving a just and lasting peace.”
Zelenskyy had been meeting with Trump and other American officials including Vice President JD Vance in the White House on Feb. 28 to sign an agreement to allow the United States access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in return for American support. However, while taking questions from the media, the two leaders’ different expectations on security commitments were brought out, with Trump taking issue with Zelenskyy’s public insistence for security guarantees from the United States in any cease-fire agreements with Russia.
Zelenskyy said that Russia had broken cease-fire agreements multiple times in the past, and criticized Vance’s argument of pushing for diplomacy. Vance said in response that it’s “disrespectful” for the Ukrainian leader to “come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media,” and said Zelenskyy wasn’t showing gratitude for America’s help.
Trump also said that Zelenskyy was “gambling with World War III,” and that he stood to lose U.S. support.
White House officials said that Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House following the tense meeting.
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Trump later said on social media that Zelenskyy is not yet ready for peace with Russia, and that the Ukrainian leader could return when “he is ready for Peace.”
Zelenskyy said on social media after the meeting that he is thankful to the United States for its help.
“Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that,” he said.
European leaders came to the defence of Zelenskyy, issuing statements that they stand with Ukraine. Zelenskyy offered his gratitude for their support, saying in response to Trudeau and others on social media, “Thank you for your support.”
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly also commented on the issue, saying an agreement for Ukraine must include security guarantees to dissuade Russia and China from invading other countries.
“We know that a bad deal would be bad for many countries, but particularly would be an opportunity for President Putin to take advantage of the U.S., and of European allies, and us,” Joly told reporters in Vancouver.
“That’s why we’ll continue to engage. We have agreed with the U.S. and with Europeans that we needed security guarantees for Ukraine. How we will define these security guarantees is at the core of the diplomatic conversations we’re having.”
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre also commented on the incident, saying he will “stand with Ukraine in its defence against Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion.”
“I also firmly believe that the future of Ukraine must be determined by the Ukrainian people,” he said.
