By Canadian Press

Joly ends Ukraine visit pledging support for war-crime tribunal, cash to local groups

Feb 16, 2023 | 6:05 AM

OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has ended a two-day visit to Ukraine where she met with senior officials to assess Canada’s response to Russia’s invasion.

Ottawa tried to keep the visit under wraps for security reasons, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video Tuesday of his meeting with Joly.

Joly met with her Ukrainian counterpart, as well as the country’s prime minister, top prosecutor and internal affairs minister to discuss Canada’s military support and attempts to bring Russia to international tribunals for war crimes.

She also spoke with Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska about support for women experiencing sexual violence and announced $3 million for local groups working to stabilize the country.

Joly visited projects funded by Canada, such as a demining program run through the HALO Trust, and pledged “continued Canadian contributions” for removing mines.

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Her office says that Canada will continue to help Ukrainians defend their freedom for as long as it takes to reach peace.

Joly’s office says she will discuss the visit with Canadian media in a morning call from Europe.

They say the visit was meant to find ways Ukraine can strengthen its position “at any future negotiating table” to recover from Russia’s invasion and bring those perpetuating violence to justice.

A news release notes that Canada is part of a group of countries that is “examining the idea of establishing a special tribunal on the crimes of aggression, and finding the most effective means to hold Russia to account.”

During her visit, Joly announced how $18.2 million earmarked last June for Ukraine will be allocated to local groups.

Joly’s visit also included a trip to the suburb of Brovary, where senior officials were killed in a helicopter crash that has not been attributed to Russia.

The visit is Joly’s second since Russia’s invasion nearly one year ago; she had also visited Ukraine as foreign affairs minister in January 2022.

MPs on the House foreign-affairs committee are to depart shortly for a tour of countries that neighbour Ukraine to compare responses to the invasion.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 16, 2023.

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press