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Thank you very much, Commissioner. We'll start now with your questions, Chris. It's coming. Please introduce yourself and the media outlet.

Sure, so it's, it's Chris Powers, Key of Independence.

I have a question for Minister Anand, if I may, but first to say, I,

I see what is meant by you being the most European, non-European with your, your multilingual message to us.

So over to my question, the solidarity with Ukraine across the world is sometimes something that we despair about in Europe.

Sometimes leaders, myself, others think we're being abandoned a bit.

And I'm wondering what your message would be to Europeans when they have that feeling that the rest of the world is, is not paying as much attention as maybe it should to Ukraine,

and what your message might be to all those countries in the world that are not in Europe, that are also not at today's meeting. Thank you.

So thank you for the question, Mercy polaquestion.

I,

I want to Emphasize that the illegal and unjustifiable further invasion by Russia of Ukraine in 2022 remains at the top of Canada's foreign policy agenda.

We have committed almost $26 billion in multiple forms of assistance to Ukraine.

That's one of the highest per capita levels of support that has been provided in the world. We have trained Ukrainian armed forces members.

Through the Canadian Armed Forces since 2015, now that total is almost at 50,000 members.

We are a vibrant member of the coalition of the willing.

And we will continue to work on initiatives like the return of Ukrainian children.

And the question, which was your question, is why? Well, there are multiple reasons.

One is we believe in the principle of territorial integrity and state sovereignty. The principles that are the fundamental. Center of international law.

And we believe that in standing with Ukraine. We are also standing for all countries.

That also wish those principles to be respected vis a vis themselves. And so this is about supporting. President Zelensky.

And the Ukrainian people as they fight for their country, it is also about supporting the principles of international law,

many of which have kept us all safe since the end of the Second World War.

There are multiple conflicts that are occurring in the world, and I understand the genesis of your question, therefore,

but I'm here today to underline Canada's unwavering support for Ukraine in the short and the long term. Mhm. Thank you, Lily. Thank you very much. I'm Lili Bayer from Reuters. I have a question from Minister Sibila.

Minister, this morning in your doorstep,

you said that Europe could play a new role in the, negotiations with Russia.

You also said that this might be a complementary track.

Could you perhaps explain a bit what you meant,

by a new role and a complimentary track and also what you told ministers in the room and how they reacted. Thank you so much. OK, thanks a lot for your question.

My signal was also that we are in a momentum.

In a momentum for Ukraine in our European aspirations after the elections in Hungary,

we could get a new dynamics in our efforts to become an EU member.

For us, our membership in the EU is an element of security infrastructure and security guarantees. Second point. We do really.

Now have a chance that Europe could play a special role. Special role in our peace efforts.

Yes, now we have a pause in our peace efforts.

But we are not talking about alternative diplomatic channel.

We are talking about complementary, as you mentioned. A complimentary track. We have our mainstream.

Peace efforts Diplomatic process under the leadership of the USA and we need this track. But we could focus on resolving concrete. Problems or concrete issues.

With the help of our European friends, I proposed this issue.

During our discussion with my counterparts,

also President Zelensky discussed this opportunity with with some European leaders.

So probably we are ready, but also for such developments,

but also we need one voice approach. That's crucial, that's important.

And probably Ukraine tries to use any opportunity to speed up peace efforts to end this war. To bring just and comprehensive peace closer. Mhm. Thank you, Vitaly.

To follow up this question for High Representative,

how she sees participation of the EU if we take all participation in 100% now how much EU could take 50/50 with the United States or even 70. Thank you.

Well, it's clearly a collective effort, that's, that's very clear.

I think, right now we are, not in this, situation yet,

and I wouldn't put any numbers, on it because everybody has their strength.

If we bring our strengths to the table, then we are actually a very strong negotiating team. Thomas.

Thomas Kuchka Frank Pitzitung, a question to Foreign Minister Siba.

What can realistically be done to repatriate more children abducted by Russia, in this time,

and what's the impact of the indictment by the ICC against President Putin?

Has it made it harder or easier, to repatriate children from Russia? Thank you.

Well, arrest warrants, it is an important instrument of enforcement. And we expect new arrest warrants.

My answer will be very simple pressure, pressure, additional pressure on Russia.

Additional pressure on the persons involved or engaged in the process of deporting the Ukrainian children.

Also on the persons who adopted our Ukrainian children, so to act. We have enough votes. We have enough initiatives. Now it's the time to act. To use all the instruments, diplomatic channels.

We have good examples with some countries like Qatar. They are very effective.

They are very effective and we are also trying to extend the list of such effective capitals.

Which could help us to return our children. For us it's a principle.

Position, it's about morality of our collective efforts and it's also about just and comprehensive peace.

Thank you very much. This concludes our conference. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye.