Heather Scoffield: Justin Trudeau raises flag at Canadian embassy on surprise trip to Ukraine’s capital
Justin Trudeau has made a surprise one-day trip to Kyiv to reopen the Canadian embassy in person - becoming one of just a few leaders who has ventured into the Ukrainian capital in a high-risk show of solidarity.
This flag came down on Feb. 13 and we're really glad to be raising it again at the Canadian embassy," Trudeau said, standing with Ambassador Larisa Galadza and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland outside the embassy in Kyiv in a video shared by Global News. I think it's a testament to how the Ukrainian people have been so strong and resilient. They've been able to protect their city."
Having the Canadian flag fly over the streets of Kyiv once again is yet another testament to the incredible strength and solidarity of Canadians and Ukrainians."
Under heavy security, the prime minister flew overnight Saturday to spend the day Sunday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a visit meant to underscore Canada's support for Ukraine and also flag to the world that Kyiv, at least, is not in Russian hands.
Trudeau travelled to Ukraine with both Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Jolie. The prime minister reportedly spent the day with Zelenskyy, and both are scheduled to virtually attend a G7 meeting later in the day.
Trudeau also visited the war-torn suburb of Irpin. The mayor of Irpin, Oleksandr Markushyn, posted about the visit by Canadian officials on his Telegram channel Sunday, writing in Ukrainian that Trudeau had come to view with his own eyes the horror" of the Russian occupation.
The prime minister is in Ukraine to meet with President Zelenskyy and reaffirm Canada's unwavering support for the Ukrainian people," said a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.
Trudeau has been under pressure to travel to Kyiv and a reopen the embassy.
Ukraine's prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, has publicly pushed for Trudeau and his ministers to come to Ukraine, and he has emphasized that Kyiv has been safe enough to host other leaders. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and several European leaders have recently gone to Kyiv, along with other dignitaries.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also visited, but not President Joe Biden. First lady Jill Biden made a trip to Ukraine Sunday, meeting Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska in Uzhhorod, a city in southwestern Ukraine. The U.S. also reopened its embassy in Kyiv Sunday.
Joly has hinted for a couple of weeks that Trudeau was contemplating a visit but security was a major consideration, especially given recent airstrikes on Kyiv and Lviv.
Canada has also been talking to Ukrainian officials for several weeks about how to safely reopen its embassy there, with Freeland - who speaks frequently to Shmyhal - saying in April it was an important gesture to make.
About 1.4 million people of Ukrainian descent live in Canada, and having an official Canadian presence in Kyiv would not only signal Canada's support but be a way to bolster Canada's efforts to help with humanitarian aid and refugees fleeing the dangerous parts of Ukraine.
The invasion is now in its 10th week, and observers fear May 9 may bring renewed aggression on the part of Russia. That's the day Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to speak at a Victory Day parade marking the anniversary of Nazi Germany's surrender in 1945.
Trudeau and his cabinet have been anxious to show Canada's unequivocal support for Ukraine, sending billions in loans, aid and weapons, especially in recent weeks. Canada has also been active in Poland, helping with the flood of Ukrainian refugees spilling into that country and easing the way for thousands of them to come to Canada.
Heather Scoffield is the Star's Ottawa bureau chief and an economics columnist. Follow her on Twitter: @hscoffield
Alex McKeen is a Vancouver-based reporter for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @alex_mckeen