WASHINGTON-
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday that mass graves discovered in Ukraine were proof of Russia’s war crimes and that full accountability for its actions was needed.
Trudeau, in London for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, told reporters he had met British Prime Minister Liz Truss and that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was high on their agenda.
“Obviously the UK and Canada have been two of the strongest countries in supporting Ukraine and pushing back against Russia’s illegal actions,” Trudeau said.
These actions “increasingly clearly include war crimes, include absolutely unacceptable crimes, whether we think of what we found in Bucha or the discovery of mass graves in the territories recovered by Ukraine”, he said. -he declares.
Ukrainian officials said last week they found 440 bodies in the woods near Izium in northeastern Ukraine, a town recaptured by Ukrainian forces. They said most of the dead were civilians and the causes of death had not been established. The Kremlin has not commented on the discovery of the graves, but Moscow has repeatedly denied deliberately attacking civilians or committing atrocities.
“There must be proper investigation and transparency and Vladimir Putin, his supporters and the Russian military must be held accountable for the atrocities they have committed and continue to commit in Ukraine,” Trudeau said.
Trudeau, who was due to meet Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Sunday evening, said Canada stands firmly behind Ukraine and will continue to provide aid.
Trudeau said his talks with Truss also focused on trade relations between their countries.
They discussed a Canada-UK trade deal which is being negotiated and progressing “well”, Trudeau said, as well as Canada’s support for Britain to potentially join the Accord Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).