Minister of Foreign Affairs concludes visit to Ukraine

May 9, 2019 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, concluded her trip to Ukraine today, where she met with various officials following recent presidential elections.

The Minister met with President-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy to discuss the future of Ukraine, emphasizing our full support throughout this democratic transition. She also thanked President Petro Poroshenko for the progress achieved by Ukraine under his leadership, and for his commitment to a smooth transition of power. She congratulated Ukraine for holding free and fair elections, as reported by the Canadian election observation mission, and re-emphasized Canada’s support as Ukraine builds on this democratic moment.

She met with Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and discussed the upcoming Ukraine Reform Conference, which will take place on July 2 to 4 in Toronto, Ontario. The Conference will be an opportunity for Ukraine and international partners to drive Ukraine’s reform agenda forward.

Minister Freeland also met with Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin to express Canada’s continued support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. She underlined Canada’s commitment to working with the international community to maintain pressure on Russia.

In discussions with the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Andriy Parubiy, she reiterated Canada’s steadfast commitment to the people of Ukraine and discussed the role that Canadian election monitors played in Ukraine’s presidential elections, and will play again in parliamentary elections later this year.