The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today concluded a productive trip to Switzerland, Poland, Belgium and Romania during which she met with multiple allies to discuss Russia's unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine.
As the broader threat of Russia's actions in Ukraine ripples across Europe and the world, the Minister reiterated that Canada will continue to engage the international community to strongly condemn President Putin's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and to urge Russia to return to the negotiating table in good faith.
While in Geneva, Switzerland, Minister Joly attended the 49th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council, where she highlighted Russia's human rights violations taking place in Ukraine and underscored the importance of international cooperation in promoting and protecting human rights. She also delivered remarks at the Conference on Disarmament, where she underlined the growing threats to global security, including nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction.
To gain a better perspective on the situation in Ukraine, Minister Joly visited Poland, where a large number of refugees are seeking asylum as a result of Russian President Putin's actions. In Warsaw, Minister Joly met with Marcin Przydacz, Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland to discuss the rising humanitarian crisis and Poland's efforts to assist those fleeing from the conflict in Ukraine. The Minister also met with newly-arrived refugees in Rzeszow, alongside Mayor Konrad Fijolek, who shared the impacts of Russia's invasion on their lives.
In Brussels, Belgium, the Minister participated in an extraordinary meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers to discuss the Alliance's coordinated response to President Putin's aggression against Ukraine. Minister Joly also attended the G7 Foreign Ministers meeting and reaffirmed the importance of a united G7 response to Russia's egregious actions, including sanctions measures. In addition, Minister Joly participated in meetings with the European Union Foreign Affairs Council, and European Commission President von der Leyen, where she discussed close international cooperation to put maximum pressure on Russia.
During her time in Bucharest, Romania, Minister Joly met with Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis, as well as Romania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, to discuss the security situation in Europe and how Canada can further assist Ukraine's neighbouring countries in their response to Russia's unwarranted and unjustifiable invasion. She also visited the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base on the Black Sea, where she reiterated Canada's support to Romania's security priorities.
Minister Joly will join Prime Minister Trudeau in Germany, to continue coordinating Canada's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
