Trudeau meets U.K. PM Liz Truss, other world leaders in London

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MONTREAL — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met his British counterpart and different world leaders in London on Sunday, as speak of the financial system and the conflict in Ukraine took their place alongside the sombre preparations for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.

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Trudeau spent about 40 minutes at 10 Downing Avenue early within the afternoon for a gathering with Liz Truss.

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Leaders from the world over have made the journey to London to mourn Britain’s longest-serving monarch. Whereas the main target of the journey is Monday’s funeral, Trudeau additionally took the time to fulfill with fellow leaders together with Truss and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

At a day information convention, he stated the continued conflict in Ukraine was high of the agenda for his assembly with Truss after he first supplied condolences over the lack of the queen.

“Clearly the U.Okay. and Canada have been two of the strongest international locations in standing up in assist of Ukraine and pushing again towards Russia’s unlawful actions, which more and more clearly embrace conflict crimes,” he stated.

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Trudeau referred to a mass burial website that has been reported close to a recaptured northeastern metropolis beforehand occupied by Russian forces, in addition to earlier studies of killings and torture in Bucha exterior the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. He referred to as for Russia and its president to be held accountable.

“Vladimir Putin, his supporters and the Russian army have to be held to account for the atrocities they’ve and are persevering with to commit in Ukraine,” Trudeau stated.

The prime minister stated he and his British counterpart additionally mentioned inflation and the negotiations for a Canada-U.Okay. commerce deal, which he stated had been “advancing effectively.”

Trudeau’s assembly with Albanese came about at a London lodge.

He stated the 2 leaders had been assembly at a time of “reflection and condolences,” but in addition had necessary issues to debate.

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He recommended the assembly would come with discussions on local weather change, geopolitical points and financial progress.

Trudeau was additionally set to fulfill Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and take part in a night reception at Buckingham Palace in a while Sunday earlier than attending the queen’s state funeral Monday morning.

Trudeau praised the late monarch for her “70 years of extraordinary service to Canada” and her capacity to attach with the general public.

“Each time I bought to fulfill with Her Majesty, her generosity and her gracefulness made that second crucial ever,” he stated. “She had a approach of reaching out and connecting with whoever she met with, and connecting with crowds and individuals who solely noticed her on tv.”

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Trudeau disregarded a query about whether or not the demise of the well-loved sovereign was the suitable time to rethink Canada’s ties to the monarchy — a proposition echoed by former surroundings minister Catherine McKenna in a tweet.

He stated that whereas “there are all the time moments for reflection,” Canadians anticipated him to deal with different points such because the financial system, the price of residing, housing and local weather change.

Jean Chretien, one of many 4 former prime ministers travelling with Trudeau as a part of the Canadian delegation to London, described the queen as somebody with “star energy” who commanded respect.

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He drew laughs when he informed a narrative about singing the nationwide anthem for the queen within the Northwest Territories in 1970, solely to appreciate he didn’t know the phrases in English.

“I used to be sweating,” he stated. “My spouse had by no means been so shy in her lifetime.”

He stated he met then-Prince Charles the subsequent summer season, and was informed his singing of ‘O Canada’ had develop into “a part of royal folklore.”

Mark Tewksbury, a former gold-medal-winning swimmer who’s a part of the Canadian delegation, stated having the ability to take part within the ceremony meant one thing “nearly past phrases.”

“Even to be strolling via Westminster Abbey, strolling via among the graves of among the scientists and Darwin, wow, that is hallowed floor,” stated Tewksbury, who participated in a rehearsal for the funeral.

“There’s a reverence and a phenomenal solemnness to what’s going to occur.”

He stated he and actress Sandra Oh had been invested into the Order of Canada at a ceremony at Canada Home in London on Saturday — which was a prerequisite to put on the official apparel on the funeral, he stated. Earlier ceremonies had been delayed due to COVID-19, he added.