Canada noncommittal on next steps in Ukraine as U.S., U.K. pull out diplomats
CTV
As the United States and the United Kingdom withdraw embassy and diplomatic staff from Ukraine amid the ongoing buildup of Russian troops at the borders, Canadian officials won't say whether their diplomats will follow suit.
Over the weekend both the U.S. State Department and the British government acknowledged that some embassy staff and their families were being withdrawn in response to the growing Russian threat.
Asked Monday if Canada was planning to do the same, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was noncommittal.
“We are following the situation in Ukraine extremely closely… There are many contingency plans in place,” Trudeau said. “The safety of Canadian diplomats and their families is of course paramount, and we will continue to be there for Ukraine and ensure the safety of Canadians and Ukrainians.”
Trudeau said that Canada will make a decision around pulling out Canadian staff based on “safety on the ground” as it relates to the concerns of a Russian invasion.
