Trudeau says ‘weakling’ Putin executed Navalny to crush dissent

Justin Trudeau wrapped up a surprise trip to war-torn Ukraine with a blistering attack on Vladimir Putin, calling the Russian leader a “weakling” who uses police and the military to crush his opposition.

Speaking with reporters at the end of his visit to the capital Kiyv, Trudeau accused Putin of “executing” opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died unexpectedly a week ago in the Arctic penal colony where he was serving a 19-year sentence. 

Navalny, 47, was roundly considered Putin’s greatest political foe. The Kremlin has rejected allegations that Putin was involved in Navalny’s death, calling them “absolutely unfounded, insolent accusations about the head of the Russian state.”

The prime minister joined other world leaders in a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv to sign a new security agreement with the embattled country, including a pledge for $320 million in new military spending by the end of the year.

The visit was part of a global campaign to showcase international solidarity with Ukraine in the face of a plodding, bloody conflict that experts say has no end in sight.

Trudeau appeared at Hostomel airport alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. Behind them, the scorched husks of destroyed aircraft and the blackened walls of the airport served as a stark backdrop, a bitter reminder of the invasion’s earliest days.

“Putin was sure he could easily take strategic targets like this airport. Russian forces tried to make quick work of Hostomel airport — and with it, Kyiv,” Trudeau said. “Well, we are standing here today because he was wrong.” 

The visit is Trudeau’s third to Ukraine since the war began.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his long-feared invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. His paratroopers raided the airport just hours after the start of what he called a “special military operation” in the country.

Two years later, the wreckage of that battle remained strewn behind the leaders as they took their turns speaking.

“Putin cannot win,” Trudeau said in his speech. “Ukraine will see victory, just like what happened on this ground two years ago.”

Former British prime minister Boris Johnson was also on hand for the anniversary, as well as Canada’s Defence Minister Bill Blair and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. Absent were countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Poland, but they signalled their allegiance through public statements on social media. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a rousing speech in Ukrainian, praising the bravery and sacrifice of Ukrainian troops defending their country, and thanking his allies.

“Throughout all of this war you have been with us, with Ukrainians,” Zelesnkyy told the leaders at Hostomel. “It is extremely important to know that Ukraine can rely on such support as yours.”

That sentiment was felt in the heart of Kyiv Saturday as people wept while they looked for the faces of their loved ones on the walls around Mykhailivsky Golden-Domed Monastery. The walls are adorned with pictures of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers killed in hostilities with Russia dating back to 2014.

“I think it’s my personal, spiritual duty to remember, myself, every year, what happened with us, with our country, with my life,” said Andriy, who looked into the eyes of Ukraine’s fallen Saturday. He did not give his last name. 

Many people left flowers in front of the tribute, including Trudeau, who laid a wreath before the wall of remembrance. 

Andriy said the war has made him tougher, and more realistic about the hardships of life. He believes Ukraine will stand, but only with the help of the country’s allies, such as Canada.

“We will have enough inside motivation, we will have spiritual resources to win this war but we have not enough material resources,” he said.