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Prime Minister concludes successful visit to Belgium and announces additional support for Ukraine

March 24, 2022
Brussels, Belgium

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today successfully concluded his trip to Brussels, Belgium. The Prime Minister addressed the European Parliament, and participated in an extraordinary North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit and a G7 Heads of State and Government Meeting.

To further build on Canada‘s coordinated response to Russia’s illegal, unprovoked, and unjustifiable aggression against Ukraine, the Prime Minister today announced additional measures to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable for its invasion, including:

  • Imposing new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations on 160 members of the Russian Federation Council for having facilitated and enabled violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity;
  • Imposing in the coming days new prohibitions under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations to prohibit the export of certain goods and technologies to Russia, with the aim of undermining and eroding the capabilities of the Russian military;
  • Allocating the remaining $50 million, from Canada’s $100 million contribution for humanitarian aid to Ukraine and neighbouring countries, including Moldova, to: the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Refugee Agency, the Canadian Red Cross and People in Need to provide immediate assistance where it is needed most; and
  • Allocating a total $4.8 million to UNESCO to protect Ukraine’s cultural and heritage sites.

On March 23, the Prime Minister addressed the European Parliament where he condemned President Putin’s war of choice and reaffirmed Canada’s steadfast commitment to Euro-Atlantic security, including by calling for further coordinated strong support for Ukraine in response to Russia’s aggression. He spoke of the need to continue working together to promote international peace and security and defend democracy. During his address, the Prime Minister highlighted the close partnership between Canada and the European Union based on our shared values.

On March 24, the Prime Minister met with leaders from Allied countries at the NATO Summit to build on our coordinated response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. They discussed the continued coordination of strong support for Ukraine and its people, and further strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence measures in response to the new security reality in Europe.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada’s steadfast commitment to the Alliance and NATO’s principle of collective defence. He highlighted Canada’s renewed commitment to defending NATO’s eastern flank and supporting eastern Allies through Operation REASSURANCE and Canada’s pledge to deploy additional troops, as part of NATO’s Response Force, if requested by NATO.

The Prime Minister also attended the G7 Heads of State and Government Meeting, where the leaders discussed strengthening G7 cooperation in light of Russia‘s unjustified, unprovoked and illegal invasion of an independent and sovereign Ukraine, and the ensuing global impacts. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine and highlighted that Canada is ready to continue imposing additional economic measures in coordination with partners and allies worldwide.

While in Brussels, the Prime Minister also held bilateral meetings with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the Prime Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin.

The Prime Minister continues to engage with partners and allies on a regular basis to hold President Putin and his military accountable for this illegal and unjustifiable invasion, and to support Ukraine as it defends its people, its sovereignty, and its territorial integrity.

Justin Trudeau
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