Trudeau Staunchly Defends Zelenskyy As London Summit On European Security Wraps Up

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau clearly signalled his view Sunday that Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted to keep his word on any agreement to end his attack on Ukraine.

Trudeau expressed unwavering support for Volodymyr Zelenskyy following the Ukrainian president’s explosive meeting Friday with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.

Kyiv and Washington had been expected to sign a deal on critical minerals as part of efforts to end Ukraine’s war with Russia, but Trump showed open disdain for Zelenskyy after the Ukrainian leader insisted the deal include security guarantees from the U.S.

Following a summit meeting in London on Sunday, Trudeau said the war would end tomorrow if Russia decided to stop its illegal invasion of Ukraine.

He said Zelenskyy pointed out Friday that Putin is a “liar and a criminal and cannot be trusted to keep his word in any way, shape or form, because he has demonstrated time and time again that he will break any agreements.”

Trudeau joined more than a dozen European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, at the London summit, which aimed to prevent further Russian aggression following its invasion of Ukraine three years ago, especially as Washington now pulls back.

Canada announced new sanctions Sunday against 10 individuals and 21 entities, including paramilitary organizations and their leaders, to help counter Russia’s reliance on third-party organizations and countries to advance its goals in Ukraine.

Canada says it has imposed sanctions on more than 3,000 individuals and entities complicit in Russia’s aggression to date.

Canada’s High Commissioner to the U.K., Ralph Goodale, said Saturday the goal of the summit was to secure “long-term security guarantees that can make sure that the people of Ukraine can count on peace as their normal way of life, and not under constant threat or constant oppression from an unreliable neighbour.”

Trudeau’s office gave a similar explanation, citing the importance of upholding international rules and reiterating that Ukraine’s security remains Canada’s top priority as current chair of the G7.

Trudeau was expected to speak with King Charles before returning to Ottawa on Monday.

Carleton University professor Stephen Saideman said before the summit that Trudeau went to London to ensure Canada remains relevant as Europeans figure out how to manage their own security without Washington’s support.

“Canada’s biggest interest is to be not forgotten. Mostly this is about solidarity,” he said.

“Canada is still committed to the security of Europe, and we would like for Europe to be committed to the security of Canada.”

Saideman, director of the Canadian Defence and Security Network, said Trudeau can offer Europeans a continued North Atlantic security infrastructure, so that even as Washington backed away from the NATO alliance, it would still involve countries beyond Europe.

“The problems that Europe faces are not just European, they’re part of the western community of states, they’re a Euro-Atlantic challenge.”

Saideman, who is in Berlin for a fellowship with the Hertie School, said the heated exchanges in Washington on Friday have confirmed for many Europeans the reality of Trump’s promises of an America First foreign policy.

“This was so hard to accept because the consequences are severe, that people were engaged in wishful thinking and denial,” he said.

“It’s really hard to deny what’s going on, when you see the fighting on TV.”

Saideman said Trudeau might reconsider procuring F-35 fighter jets from American firms by substituting Eurofighter planes, a move that would likely prompt litigation over contracts.

“We’re in a moment where we need some imagination about possibilities,” he said.

“The Europeans and Canada have to start thinking about the United States in completely different terms: as an adversary, not an ally.”