Trudeau visits Kyiv to mark two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Kyiv to take part in a display of international solidarity as the world marks two years since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Trudeau is making the unannounced visit for a day of ceremonies, meetings and remembrance alongside other international leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his long-feared invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, an incursion that soon evolved into a grinding, bloody, full-scale conflict that now has no end in sight.

“Despite Russia’s unrelenting attacks, Ukraine continues to demonstrate unwavering courage,” Trudeau said in a statement Friday on the eve of the anniversary.

“Ukrainians are fighting for their communities, their land, their identity, and their heritage. But they are also fighting for our collective future. They are fighting to remind the world that democracy is both important enough to die for and strong enough to win.”

As he has done from the outset, Trudeau again vowed to ensure Canada stands with Ukraine for as long as it takes to secure victory.

But the federal government has yet to deliver all military aid it has promised, prompting critics to accuse the prime minister of going back on his word. 

Trudeau is expected to participate in several commemorations throughout the day, including a wreath-laying, before ending the day with a joint news conference. 

 “This day serves as a reminder of what Ukraine is fighting for — the values of freedom, justice, and democracy,” he said. 

“Canada’s support for Ukraine is unwavering and unequivocal. We will defend a future for Ukraine that’s written by Ukrainians. We will defend a Ukraine that stands strong and free. And we will be with Ukraine in this courageous fight for as long as it takes.” 

Despite similar sentiments from across the global coalition of support, however, European countries are struggling to find enough stocks to send to Kyiv, while $60-billion worth of U.S. help is stalled over political differences. 

The delays have frustrated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who fears — like others — that such delays and domestic political conflict are playing right into the hands of an ever-patient Putin.

Just last week, Russia took complete control of the city of Avdiivka, about 706 kilometres east of the capital, where troops had battled fiercely over the local chemical plant for weeks.

The presence of world leaders in Kyiv will be on display throughout the day Saturday to demonstrate a bulwark of international support and pay tribute to Ukraine’s continued resilience. 

Zelenskyy himself warned allies just last week that an “artificial deficit” of arms risks giving Russia a dangerous advantage. 

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden has been cajoling and criticizing Republicans in Congress to help pass legislation to keep the support flowing.  

“The failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will not be forgotten. Now is the time for us to stand strong with Ukraine and stand united with our allies and partners,” Biden said in a statement. 

“Now is the time to prove that the United States stands up for freedom and bows down to no one.”

Biden has chided his political opponents, including former and would-be future president Donald Trump, for inflamed rhetoric around Ukraine and a lack of support that borders on what the current commander-in-chief calls “criminal neglect.”

Trudeau has reached for similar reprovals when it comes to Canada’s Opposition Conservatives and their recent decision to vote against a modernized free-trade deal with Ukraine. 

But in contrast to the U.S., both parties have tried to position themselves domestically as the more committed ally: Canada is home to the world’s second-largest Ukrainian diaspora population, after Russia. 

The prime minister’s show of solidarity in Kyiv will also be an opportunity to restore Canada’s place at Ukraine’s side after a gaffe during Zelenskyy’s visit to Ottawa last fall set off an international embarrassment. 

With the Ukrainian president in the House of Commons, members of Parliament paid a war hero’s tribute to a Ukrainian-Canadian veteran who turned out to have fought for the Nazis in the Second World War. 

The incident made headlines around the world, prompted a prime ministerial apology, cost former House Speaker Anthony Rota his job and provided ample fodder for Russia’s propaganda machine.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 24, 2024.

— With files from The Associated Press 

The Canadian Press