Canada has sent back its Ambassador to Ukraine Larisa Galadza to reopen the Kyiv embassy but there鈥檚 no word yet on when there will be a full diplomatic restoration in the region.
In an interview on 麻豆影视 Channel鈥檚 Power Play airing Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said consular services will continue out of Poland for the time being.
鈥淲e will assess by the day, we鈥檙e doing, like other like-minded partners, are doing. For us it was important to bring back our ambassador, bring back a reinforced team also to support the diplomatic work,鈥� she said from Belgium.
Canada shuttered its embassy doors in February, weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine. The government has faced mounting pressure to reinstate it in recent weeks, as many of its allies have done.
Joly was one of several Canadian officials who made a surprise visit to Ukraine over the weekend amid the ongoing invasion.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland were also there to oversee a mostly symbolic Canadian flag raising ceremony at the embassy.
Trudeau also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to offer, in person, Canada鈥檚 continued support including more military assistance in the form of drone cameras, satellite imagery, small arms, ammunition and funding for landmine clearing operations.
The visit came ahead of Russia鈥檚 recognition of Victory Day, which celebrates the Soviet Union's Second World War victory over Nazi Germany.
Russian President Vladimir Putin marked the day with a speech in Moscow's Red Square, where he sought to justify the war, now in its 11th week.
鈥淭he danger was rising by the day,鈥� Putin said. 鈥淩ussia has given a preemptive response to aggression. It was forced, timely and the only correct decision.鈥�
Responding to his address, Joly said it鈥檚 鈥渘ew lies, that continue with the lies that he鈥檚 been saying.鈥�
鈥淲e already know that Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine is a failure. Period,鈥� she said.
Canada鈥檚 scaled-back diplomatic presence in Kyiv will focus in part on helping to map out land mines, planted by Russian forces in various neighborhoods, Joly said.
鈥淲e need to make sure that we educate, that we bring the expertise, and we need to make sure it is safe for families,鈥� she said, adding that these efforts will be done through local non-governmental organizations.
With files from 麻豆影视鈥� Tom Yun, Paul Workman and The Associated Press.
