Trudeau heads to Europe to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with allies

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau departed for Europe on Sunday to meet with allies about the intensifying situation in Ukraine.

Trudeau has meetings set for Monday in London with the prime ministers of Britain and the Netherlands.

In the days to come, Trudeau is to meet with other leaders in Riga, Latvia, Berlin and Warsaw, Poland.

He’s also due to meet with the secretary-general of NATO and with Canadian Armed Forces members during his trip.

We’re about to take off for the United Kingdom. I’ll be sharing updates here throughout the week – on the work we’re doing to further support the people of Ukraine, and on the progress we’re making with our allies and partners – so check back often.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 6, 2022

The prime minister’s office says he will work with allies in Europe on responding to Russia’s military aggression and the humanitarian challenges stemming from the conflict, which has prompted more than a million people to flee Ukraine since late last month.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pleaded for a no-fly zone over his country and lashed out at NATO for refusing to impose one, warning that “all the people who die from this day forward will also die because of you.”

But NATO has refused, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has made clear he’d consider such a move a hostile act.

Instead, the alliance of western nations has opted to send weapons and defensive equipment to Ukraine while attacking Russia’s economy.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has been in Europe over the past few days in meetings with NATO and European Commission officials about ongoing efforts to sanction Russia.

— with files from the Associated Press 

by The Canadian Press