Trudeau caps eastern European trip visiting Canadian troops in Ukraine

A show of force capped Justin Trudeau’s six-day swing through eastern Europe on Tuesday, underlining the risks and challenges Canada faces in an increasingly volatile and politically important part of the world.

The prime minister flew into Lviv in western Ukraine before driving to a nearby military base for a first-hand look at the work of 200 Canadian soldiers who have been training the Ukrainian army since last summer.

From a distance, Trudeau, his son Xavier and defence chief Gen. Jonathan Vance watched through binoculars as a Sovietera armoured personnel carrier led a group of Canadian and Ukrainian soldiers toward a wooden building. The air shook as the vehicle’s cannon fired several bursts in quick succession.

The troops then moved away from the vehicle and spread out in a line facing the building. Four Canadians followed close behind as the eight Ukrainians slowly closed on the building while firing their rifles before placing an explosive inside and setting it off.

The exercise was the type of attack those Ukrainian soldiers could soon be conducting on their own in the east of their country, where the army has been fighting Russian-backed separatists for more than two years.

Nearly 9,500 people have been killed in the conflict, including civilians. Thousands more have been wounded.

Earlier in the day, Trudeau spoke to the soldiers — members of the Valcartier-based Royal 22e Regiment, or Van Doos — about Canada’s role in helping Ukraine in its struggle with Russia, as well as other countries that find their democracies or territory under siege.

“It has been a long time since Canada had to defend our valour and defend our territory,” Trudeau said in French.

“But we need to continue to work with those who are fighting for democracy and their territorial integrity. It is essential.”

The unanswered question, however, remains just how far Trudeau’s Liberal government, which has declared its commitment to peacekeeping efforts and re-engaging with Russia — are prepared to go when such a fight looms.