Ukrainian President Zelensky made a surprise visit to Canada on his first visit since the outbreak of hostilities, seeking more support from Ottawa.
The plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska arrived in Ottawa, Canada, on the evening of September 21 for an unannounced visit. Canadian television footage showed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland welcoming Mr. Zelensky at the airport.
This is Mr. Zelensky's first visit to Canada since Russia launched its campaign in Ukraine in February 2022. Some Canadian media outlets had predicted the visit a few days before, but officials from both countries did not confirm the information.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ottawa on the evening of September 21. Video : Reuters
The Canadian Prime Minister's Office announced on September 21 that Mr. Zelensky will visit the country for two days. President Zelensky is expected to meet with Prime Minister Trudeau and address the Canadian parliament . The leaders of the two countries will then travel to Toronto to meet with representatives of Ukrainian businesses and the community.
Prime Minister Trudeau will reaffirm Canada's support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, according to the Prime Minister's office.
The visit to Canada comes as Mr. Zelensky has not been warmly welcomed by Republican lawmakers in the US Congress. US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has refused to hold a joint session of the US Congress as proposed by President Zelensky, preventing the Ukrainian leader from speaking to all US lawmakers.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (left) welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska in Ottawa on the evening of September 21. Photo: Berliner-zeitung
Canada is home to one of the world's largest Ukrainian communities, with about 1.4 million people. As of July, nearly 170,000 Ukrainian refugees had fled to the North American country since the conflict began.
Canada is a member of NATO and the G7. It has imposed many sanctions on Russia in response to Moscow's campaign in Ukraine. Canada is also one of the countries that actively provides military support to Ukraine to counter Russia, with a total estimated value of more than 8.9 billion USD.
Nhu Tam (According to Reuters, AFP )
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