Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he had a 鈥渟ubstantive conversation鈥� with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday.
The call between the two leaders鈥攚hich took place while Trudeau is vacationing in Jamaica鈥攚as their first official meeting of the new year.
鈥淲e discussed strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities in the face of threats and risks of escalation at the front,鈥� Zelenskyy tweeted, adding he 鈥渆xpressed gratitude鈥� for Canada鈥檚 support of Ukraine.
According to a readout of the call released by the Prime Minister鈥檚 Office, the two world leaders discussed the latest developments on the ground in Ukraine, including Russia鈥檚 ongoing strikes against essential infrastructure, with Canada reaffirming its support 鈥渢o the government and people of Ukraine for as long as is necessary.鈥�
Zelenskyy鈥檚 recounting of the call also noted that he and Trudeau agreed on steps for his 鈥減eace formula.鈥� The prime minister鈥檚 statement said that he 鈥渆xpressed his hope that 2023 will bring a just and sustainable peace to the people of Ukraine,鈥� and commended Zelenskyy鈥檚 peace initiative.
Trudeau mentioned Ukraine鈥檚 peace plan in his year-end interview with CTV National News Chief News Anchor and Senior Editor Omar Sachedina, which aired Dec. 31.
鈥淚t is something we are all working for, but it will not be on Russian terms,鈥� Trudeau told Sachedina. 鈥淚t will be on Ukrainian terms, because Russia made the terrible miscalculation of thinking they could invade a peaceful neighbour and get away with it.鈥�
He added it鈥檚 鈥渘ot just important for Ukraine, it鈥檚 important for the world鈥� to stand up against Russia鈥檚 invasion.
The pair have agreed to remain 鈥渋n close and regular contact,鈥� according to the readout from Trudeau鈥檚 office.
With files from 麻豆影视鈥� Senior Digital Parliamentary Reporter Rachel Aiello
