Putin is responsible for war crimes, says Canadian PM in Kyiv
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. He said it is clear that Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible for "heinous war crimes".
He added that Putin must be held accountable. Canada "restarted operations in Kyiv today", Trudeau said. The Canadian leader was speaking at a news conference and said he witnessed the brutality of Russia's illegal war.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly also accompanied Trudeau on his visit to Ukraine. They together hoisted the maple leaf flag at Canada's mission in Kyiv.
Operation UNIFIER is the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) mission to support the Security Forces of Ukraine by providing training. Canada is the first western country to recognise Ukraine's independence back in 1991 and has been in a close bilateral relationship since.
Earlier in the day, he had visited Irpin outside Kyiv. The city has been ruined by the fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces before its occupation in March by Moscow. Russia has been attacking Ukraine since February 24.
Irpin Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn took to social media to thank the Canadian Prime Minister for coming to the city to see the horror the Russian occupiers subjected the city to. He also thanked Trudeau for the support shown by Canada.
Markushyn told the media there were around 60,000 residents in Irpin before the Russian forces attacked. He added that they believe in the continued cooperation between Ukraine and Canada for the reconstruction of cities after victory.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also made a recent visit to Irpin and nearby towns where Russian forces are accused of killing hundreds of civilians.