The Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and the US First Lady Jill Biden have made separate surprise visits to Ukraine amidst the ongoing brutal Russian invasion.
Biden travelled in secrecy and met with the Ukrainian First Lady, Olena Zelensky, wife of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, in what is a show of solidarity between the two nations.
Biden told reporters:
"I wanted to come on Mother's Day. I thought it was important to show the Ukrainian people that this war has to stop and this war has been brutal and that the people of the United States stand with the people of Ukraine."
During her trip, she visited the town of Uzhhorod, which sits near the Ukrainian and Slovakian border. The pair met in private in a school classroom. The Ukrainian First Lady has been in hiding with her children since the outbreak of the war 10 weeks ago and it has been said that she and her children have not met her husband in person once during this time. She said of Biden's visit:
"We understand what it takes for the US first lady to come here during a war when military actions are taking place every day, where the air sirens are happening every day – even today."
Justin Trudeau is expected to meet President Zelensky during his visit on Sunday and has reopened the Canadian Embassy in Kyiv, where the Canadian flag was once again raised.
#BREAKING: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Kyiv, where he has just announced the reopening of the Canadian Embassy
— Ashleigh Stewart (@Ash_Stewart_) May 8, 2022
"Having the Canadian flag fly over the streets of Kyiv once again is yet another testament to the strength and solidarity of Canadians and Ukrainians” pic.twitter.com/ZfqlAlybQT
He said:
"Having the Canadian flag fly over the streets of Kyiv once again is yet another testament to the strength and solidarity of Canadians and Ukrainians."
He also visited the town of Irpin just outside Kyiv which was the scene of heavy fighting prior to humiliating Russian retreat from the Battle of Kyiv.
On Monday, Russia will hold Victory Day celebrations which commemorate the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. Many analysts believe that the event could be used by Vladimir Putin to escalate the conflict and take it to the next stage. This could involve officially declaring war in Ukraine and mobilising the Russian nation.
[Based on reporting by: The Guardian]
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