(Burgenstock) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Russia must be held accountable for “the element of genocide” it is committing by removing thousands of Ukrainian children from their homes and trying to erase their Ukrainian identity.
Published at 7:50 a.m.
Updated at 11:36 a.m.
He made the remarks during the Ukraine peace summit on Sunday morning, which brings together representatives of 90 countries in Switzerland, and which aims to spark discussions on the path to ending the war between Russia and the Ukraine.
A joint statement signed by the majority of participants called for Ukraine’s “territorial integrity” to be the basis of any peace deal, but Trudeau focused on Ukrainian children kidnapped in the conflict .
Regardless of what any specific person or country in the world might think about the causes of the war or the responsibility Russia bears, everyone can agree that taking children from their families, trying to erase their language , their culture – it is an element of genocide.
Justin Trudeau
“This is pure colonialism. These are things for which Russia must be held responsible. »
PHOTO URS FLUEELER, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Mr. Trudeau did not use the term when asked about allegations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
The Prime Minister participated in the closing press conference alongside Swiss President Viola Amherd, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, and of Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo.
“In the coming months, Canada intends to host a meeting of foreign ministers to advance work on the human cost of this war,” Mr. Trudeau announced during his speech.
Earlier today, at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Prime Minister of Canada co-chaired a session with Norway on the human dimension of war, which affects prisoners of war, civilian detainees and deported children.
In the absence of Russia, the event is widely seen as a symbolic effort by Kyiv to rally the international community to Ukraine’s cause.
Participants faced a delicate balance, with many criticizing Russia for breaking international law while hedging their positions to leave the door open for Moscow to participate in future peace talks that could one day end the conflict.
Several leaders at the summit also stressed the importance of respecting international law around the world.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric drew parallels between the wars in Ukraine and Gaza during the opening plenary on Saturday.
“We firmly believe that this situation represents a serious violation of international law and human rights, the same principles we must say are being ignored by the Israeli government in Gaza,” he said.
As the International Court of Justice hears South Africa’s allegation of genocide against Israel, Prime Minister Trudeau has hesitated to use the term to describe the situation in Gaza.
“We continue to follow the international institutions that we have. We continue to look at the work being done with the ICC [Cour pénale internationale] and the ICJ [Cour internationale de justice]. Canada supports international law and it always will,” he said.
The joint press release
In their joint communiqué, the 84 summit participants affirm that “the Charter of the United Nations, which includes the principles of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all States, can and will serve as a basis for achieving complete peace , just and sustainable in Ukraine.
Several countries present did not sign the communiqué, including India, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
The document states that any threat of nuclear weapons in the war against Ukraine is “inadmissible.”
The signatories also argued that food security should not be weaponized, that all prisoners of war should be released in a full exchange, and that all deported children should be returned to Ukraine.
They also recognized that “achieving peace requires involvement and dialogue between all parties.”
Canada also announced an envelope of 52.4 million to help Ukraine. The money will go towards a range of initiatives, including support for abductees as well as survivors of war crimes and sexual violence.
Last February, a UN committee concluded that there was evidence of the forced expulsion of Ukrainian children by Russia.
He cites Ukrainian government figures that some 20,000 children have been moved from their homes. Bragi Gudbrandsson, vice-president of the committee, adds that it is difficult to determine exact figures.
He said Russia had denied the accusations. The committee also raised concerns about granting Russian citizenship to these deported Ukrainian children.
Justin Trudeau returns to Ottawa on Sunday afternoon, concluding a five-day international trip that included the G7 leaders’ summit in Italy.
With information from The Associated Press
