Canada summons Russian ambassador over civilian attack in Ukraine

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly On Wednesday stated to reporters in Toronto that Ottawa has summoned Russian Ambassador Oleg Stepanov over the recent attack in Dnipro, Ukraine that reportedly took the lives of 45, including many children.

Stepanov was summoned by the government to “make clear we do not accept the sheer brutality of Russia’s recent attacks against civilians in Dnipro.” This would mark the fourth time that the Russian Ambassador was summoned by Joly in the past year.

“We will ensure that those responsible for the horrific scenes in … Ukraine answer [for] their crimes,” Minister Joly stated Wednesday.

Joly also met with the U.K.’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, James Cleverly, in Toronto on Wednesday.

“[The UK]  and [Canada] are working in partnership to support Ukrainians all around the world.  @MelanieJoly and I met members of the Ukrainian diaspora in Toronto to hear their stories. We won’t stop until they can reclaim their homeland,” Tweeted Cleverly in regard to their meeting.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday referred to the attack on the apartment building, which led to about 400 reportedly losing their home, as “despicable, abhorrent and completely unacceptable.”

On Wednesday, Defence Minister Anita Anand announced that Canada would be sending 200 Canadian-made armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine.

“I just concluded a productive visit to Kyiv where I met with Ukrainian people, their brave soldiers, and alongside @oleksiireznikov, I announced that Canada will send 200 more Canadian-made Roshel Armored vehicles,” Minister Anand stated.