Prime Minister Trudeau pledged more help for Ukraine during a news conference with Poland’s president.
Trudeau says the federal government will match up to $30,000 in donations to the Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal and also said that $50 million in humanitarian aid has already be allocated to groups with experience in helping displaced persons.
“As always the Transatlantic unity is strong,” said Trudeau. “We stand along side friends and allies in Europe against Putin’s attack against Ukraine and in support of Ukraine’s people.”
Trudeau defended federal government’s plans to help Ukrainian refugees when asked why embassies in Warsaw and Berlin were closed to people looking to go to Canada.
“Our hearts break for the terrible scenes that we’ve seen,” Trudeau said. “We’ve seen people fleeing for their lives, leaving behind them all their worldly possessions, looking to be safe.”
Trudeau said the federal government is fast tracking applications for Ukrainian refugees to come to Canada and says the application process is exclusively online so that it is open to everyone. However, he would not say if Canada would consider lifting visa requirements for Ukrainians.
The Prime Minister would also not say what NATO allies would do in the event Russia uses chemical or nuclear weapons against Ukraine but unlike US Vice President Kamala Harris, Trudeau did refer to the atrocities in Ukraine as war crimes.
“Vladimir Putin has made a terrible mistake,” warned Trudeau. “And he is going to lose this war. He is going to lose this war because of the ferocity and strength and resolve of the Ukrainian people, defending their territory, is inspiring us all.”
Trudeau will also be meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris while in Warsaw.
