Canada’s ambassador will return to Ukraine as soon as it’s safe: Joly

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OTTAWA — International Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says Canada’s ambassador to Ukraine will return to the nation as quickly as it’s protected to take action, however neither she nor the prime minister would say whether or not they’re planning to go to.

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Canada started cutting down its diplomatic presence in Ukraine in late January as intelligence warned of an impending Russian invasion.

Households of diplomatic workers had been evacuated first on Jan. 25, adopted by non-essential workers on Jan. 30.

On Feb. 12 the embassy was relocated to Lviv in western Ukraine, after which to Poland on Feb. 24, the day Russia invaded. Ambassador Larisa Galadza stays in Poland.

Representatives from most western international locations fled Ukraine because the struggle erupted, however greater than two dozen have already gone again, even because the battle drags on.

A number of of Canada’s G7 allies have already returned to Kyiv — France and Italy the third week of April, and the UK as of final week.

America is beginning by sending diplomats on day journeys into the western a part of Ukraine earlier than restoring the embassy presence within the capital of Kyiv. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited final week. U.S. Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi was in Kyiv Might 1.

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Joly mentioned April 22 that Canada was taking a look at how you can safely reopen the embassy and final week mentioned Canada was taking a look at what its 5 Eyes colleagues had been doing. The 5 Eyes is an intelligence alliance made up of Australia, New Zealand, the UK, United States and Canada.

An Australian overseas ministry spokesperson advised native media Wednesday the scenario was underneath assessment however for now, the Australian embassy workers will proceed to work out of Poland.

New Zealand usually has solely an honorary consul in Ukraine, with diplomatic workers on the embassy in Poland aiding New Zealand residents in Ukraine.

Joly pressured safety stays a difficulty, noting Russian airstrikes close to Kyiv and in Lviv Wednesday.

“Properly, positively, our aim is to make it possible for we return a diplomatic presence, certainly, in Ukraine,” she mentioned Wednesday.

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“I can already affirm you that Larisa Galadza, who was our ambassador to Ukraine and stationed within the south of Poland, will likely be going again. That’s clearly our goal. Now I’m wanting by way of days to make it possible for we are able to make that announcement.”

It stays unclear when or whether or not Joly or Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will go to Ukraine.

Joly referred to the necessity for a safety evaluation. Trudeau ignored the query as he left the Liberal caucus assembly Wednesday. On his approach into the Home of Commons later for query interval, he mentioned solely that Canada stands with Ukraine and is in fixed contact with the federal government.

“We proceed to search for each approach we can’t simply help them, however proceed to reveal our help for them,” Trudeau mentioned.

A number of world leaders have travelled to Kyiv in latest weeks to point out solidarity with Ukraine, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, and European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen.

Trudeau travelled to Europe in March for conferences on the invasion in Ukraine, with stops within the U.Ok., Poland, Latvia and Germany.