Moscow comments on Canada’s confiscation of a “unique” Russian plane and its delivery to Ukraine

The Russian Foreign Ministry commented on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to confiscate a Russian cargo plane held in Toronto and hand it over to Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that the confiscation of the Russian plane “An-124” (An-124) detained in Toronto will have consequences for bilateral relations, and Moscow reserves the right to respond.

Zakharova said, referring to the announcement of the launch of the procedures for confiscating aircraft by the Canadian Prime Minister: “The Russian side warns that the practical implementation of this decision will have dire consequences for Russian-Canadian relations, which are already oscillating and on the verge of collapse due to the error of the Ottawa official,” as she put it.

She added that what she described as attempts to cover up this “illegal and shameful” act with local judicial procedures would not give it even the appearance of legitimacy. We reserve the right to respond, guided by the principle of reciprocity.

Zakharova stressed that Moscow considers the actions of the Canadian authorities with regard to the plane owned by the Russian airline “Volga-Dnepr” a “shameful and brazen theft,” as she put it.

In this sense, the Russian diplomat said, the “AN-124” plane, which was on a humanitarian flight to deliver anti-viral drugs to Toronto, where it was not allowed to fly, was in fact a hostage with a long-term goal, as it turns out now, to loot and transport a unique plane. to their clients in Kiev.

Last Saturday, the Canadian Prime Minister announced the provision of $375 million in military aid to Ukraine during his surprise visit to the capital, Kiev, during which he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Trudeau said Canada would participate in a multinational effort to train Ukrainian fighter pilots, and announced military aid to Kiev worth C$500 million ($375 million), without elaborating.

Trudeau added that his country seized a Russian “Antonov” cargo plane that landed in Canada last year, and began the process of transferring the plane to Ukraine.