Explosions have been heard across Ukraine as Russia launches a wide-ranging military attack.
Residents have started to flee and Ukrainian air space has been declared an active conflict zone.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is condemning the attack and says there will be consequences for the “reckless and dangerous acts.”
He’ll be meeting with G7 leaders on Thursday morning to discuss their plans to respond, including imposing additional sanctions against Russia.
Canada condemns – in the strongest possible terms – Russia’s egregious attack on Ukraine. These unprovoked actions are a clear further violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and of Russia’s obligations under international law and the Charter of the UN.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 24, 2022
Trudeau is asking Russia to stop the attack and to remove its military forces.
“Canada calls on Russia to immediately cease all hostile and provocative actions against Ukraine, and withdraw all military and proxy forces from the country,” Trudeau says in a Tweet. “Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.”
Trudeau says the actions violate international law and the Charter of the UN.
Ukraine’s foreign minister calls attack “war of aggression”
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, is calling the attack “a war of aggression.”
He says the country will not turn its back on the fight.
“Ukraine will defend itself and will win,” Kuleba says in a statement on Twitter. “The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.”
He’s calling on Ukraine’s allies for immediate help.
There are fears the Russian invasion could lead to massive casualties and threaten Ukraine’s democracy.
Other consequences could have a ripple effect globally.
The impacts could be felt on energy supplies in Europe and shake up global financial markets.
Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 24, 2022
President Vladimir Putin is warning other countries against meddling in the conflict, saying any attempts to interfere would lead to “consequences you have never seen.”
Canada announced plans on Tuesday to boost troops in eastern Europe to strengthen NATO forces, including deploying HMCS Halifax.
