Zelensky told Russian media ahead of scheduled talks in Turkey that Ukraine was ready to declare neutrality, which would be a concession to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demand that the Kiev government abandon its ambition to join the of NATO.
But Zelensky made it clear that Ukraine would need guarantees from Russia, which invaded the country on February 24, displacing millions in the worst massacre on European soil since World War II.  On Twitter, Zelensky said he discussed working with Trinto on “defense and the pressure of sanctions.”
“He was briefed on Russia’s crimes and the progress of the negotiation process,” he added.  “I am grateful for the willingness to consider additional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine.”
Ahead of talks with Russia, Zelensky also said he was open to compromises on the future of Ukraine’s eastern Donbass region, which the Kremlin claimed as its territory and where eight years of fighting before the recent Russian invasion left 14,000 dead. .
The Russian advance on Kyiv appeared to have stalled as the mayor of Irpin, a northeastern suburb of the Ukrainian capital, said his city had been liberated by Russian forces.  Earlier this month, images of dead Ukrainian civilians, including a mother and two children, were released by Irpin.
“The prime minister and the president discussed the ongoing Russian military aggression and the devastating effects on the people, infrastructure and economy of Ukraine,” Trinto’s office said in a summary of the conversation with Zelensky.
The two leaders spoke of the next steps, including more humanitarian, financial and military support, as well as further sanctions against Russia, he said.  But a reading from Trinto’s office did not mention Zelensky’s latest negotiating positions with Moscow.
“Prime Minister Trinto reaffirmed Canada’s firm support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence,” he said.
Earlier Monday, Trinto said that while the Russian invasion could push up energy prices, it was still pushing people to develop greener energy sources.
“The world’s determination to reduce its dependence on Russian oil and gas is transformed into an increased urgent need to convert our energy mix to lower carbon emissions in the coming years,” Trinto told a news conference. southern Ontario.
Trinto’s comments came as the G7 pushed back Russia’s demands for access to oil and gas in an energy-dependent Europe.
Germany’s energy minister says the G7 has no intention of backing down from Russia’s demand that countries pay for gas exports in rubles.
“All the G7 ministers fully agreed that this (would be) a one-sided and clear breach of existing conventions,” German Foreign Minister Robert Habeck told reporters in Berlin on Monday.
The decision came after a meeting Friday between Canadian officials and G7 allies.
Last week, Putin said he would require “unfriendly” countries to pay for Russian gas in rubles and set up a system where they could buy Russian currency.  The move was widely seen as an attempt by Putin to support the devalued ruble, which has plummeted in value under Western sanctions.
“There is a real opportunity to understand that Vladimir Putin’s terrible wrong decision to invade a peaceful, neighboring country gives the world, yes, difficulties at the moment over energy prices, food insecurity, but even more incentive to mutually supportive.  “To support families as we reduce our dependence on oil and gas completely,” Trinto said on Monday.
Trinto says he has discussed helping Europe tackle its dependence on Russian energy supplies, including during a visit to Germany earlier this month where he and Chancellor Olaf Solz spoke of greater co-operation in developing it. hydrogen as a source of clean energy.
As Canada and its Western allies tighten their grip on the Russian economy with sanctions and other trade measures following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, the ban on Russian energy in Europe has been problematic.
This is because Europe receives 40 percent of its gas and 25 percent of its oil from Russia.
This Canadian Press report was first published on March 28, 2022.
With files from the Associated Press