Russia’s ambassador to Canada will be summoned to clarify evidence of brutal murders on the outskirts of Kyiv, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said.
Joly said the government is under arrest for “serious events” that occurred in Bucha and Irpin over the past few days, which are now drawing global attention as Russian forces retreat from the regions.
“I have instructed the deputy minister to summon the Russian ambassador in Ottawa to make sure he is provided with pictures of what happened there,” she told reporters while at NATO headquarters in Brussels. Irpin and Bucha.
First-hand accounts of the devastation in two suburbs from investigators, journalists and politicians all paint a horrifying picture of what happened. Some described lifeless bodies tossed on the sidewalk with their hands tied behind their backs while others reported evidence of rape and torture.
Joly said there was a “level of inhumanity” in what was seen.
When asked how the Canadian government would respond, the Foreign Minister reiterated Ottawa’s support for the International Criminal Court to investigate Russian war crimes and military aid being sent to the country. Ukraine.
She added that more will be announced in the coming days regarding further economic sanctions.
Joly’s office had previously summoned Oleg Stepanov once after Russia’s incursion into Ukraine in late February.
“I summoned the Russian ambassador, I looked him in the eye and I told him exactly what I thought was Canada’s position,” Joly said at the time.
Ottawa is facing growing pressure to expel Russian diplomats in Canada, as key allies do so.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters on Parliament Hill on Wednesday that although he acknowledged Russia’s representatives here were spreading misinformation about the war, removing them could expose Russia to disinformation. the same goes for the Canadian diplomats in Moscow, who play an important role.
“We have to weigh the negatives of that against the positives of having these extraordinary Canadians in Moscow who are giving us feedback on what the Russian people are doing, connecting with society. civilian and understand and support Canadians and others who happen to be in Russia at this point in time,” he said.
“We don’t want to lack resources in Moscow.”
—
Contact
Do you have any questions about the attack on Ukraine? Send an email to dotcom@bellmedia.ca.
Please include your name, location and contact information if you would like to speak to a journalist with CTV News.
Your comments may be used in a CTVNews.ca story.
