We will cope with Russia together - Leaders pledge support for Ukraine in Kyiv

7 months ago
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A dozen leaders from Europe and Canada were in Ukraine's capital Monday to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

According to Associated Press the visitors, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended anniversary events and discussed supporting Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The anniversary was being marked as U.S. policies on Russia and Ukraine shift under President Donald Trump.

At a summit in Kyiv Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's personal bravery, resilience and resolve, stressing this was a war of Russia's making.

The Canadian leader pushed back on the Kremlin's narrative on the cause of the war, echoed in recent days by US President Donald Trump and some members of his administration, that Ukraine bore responsibility for igniting the conflict.

"This is a war started for one reason and one reason only: Russia's desire to erase Ukrainian history and expand their empire," Trudeau told the summit.

"We cannot return to an era where might makes right," he added.

"We must do everything in our power to enable Ukraine to secure a just and lasting peace, a peace that cannot be achieved without Ukrainians at the table."

Trudeau said Canada would provide Ukraine with additional armored vehicles that Ukrainian soldiers would soon be trained on in Germany.

The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen meanwhile said Europe would continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

"No one wants more peace than the Ukrainian people, but they want a just and a lasting peace. And this only comes through strength."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez echoed her words, saying only Ukrainians can decide the future of their country.

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