Justin Trudeau makes surprise visit to Ukraine, meets with Volodymyr Zelensky

Picture Courtesy: AP

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a surprise visit to Kyiv, Ukraine on Sunday and he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He also briefly toured a blackened, bombed-out suburban community.

Trudeau visited the city of Irpin on the outskirts of Kyiv, which was the scene of some of the heaviest fighting in March.

Canadian Prime Minister also reopened the Canadian Embassy and welcomed the ambassador back to the embattled capital. The visit was conducted under a news blackout, however, his pictures surfaced online when Irpin’s Mayor who met with Trudeau tweeted them.

Justin Trudeau was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly.

The Prime Minister’s office confirmed his visit and released a statement saying, “The Prime Minister is in Ukraine to meet with President Zelensky and reaffirm Canada’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people.”

The Associated Press reported that Jill Biden made a surprise visit to the western part of Ukraine today to meet Olena Zelenska, the first lady, for Mother's Day.