Alberta Premier Smith apologizes for comments on Ukraine

New Pathway – Ukrainian News.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has issued a statement apologizing for her prior remarks on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Her apology, posted to Twitter on Tuesday, comes two days after she issued a statement on the same topic, but declined to apologize, instead blaming the Opposition New Democrats and the media for creating controversy.

“I categorically condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the indescribable suffering Russia has and still is inflicting upon the Ukrainian people,” her Tuesday apology reads.

She notes the comments came before she re-entered politics as a candidate for the leadership of the United Conservative Party, a race she won earlier this month, calling her earlier comments “ill informed.”

“My knowledge and opinion of this matter have drastically evolved since that time and I apologize for those previous comments.”

Smith added she had directed her office to “actively reach out” to Ukrainian community leaders across the province to see how Alberta can assist Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees.

The statement is already the third apology or clarification issued by Smith’s office since she was sworn in as premier on Oct. 11.

It also marks a change from a statement she issued Sunday where she asked “the NDP and their allies” to not politicize the ongoing invasion, calling it “extremely unbecoming.”

In a Monday radio interview, she also blamed the media for exploiting and inflaming the situation.

“I would put that back on you (media) guys, I would prefer you deal with issues that are substantive to Albertans.”

Smith posted comments earlier this year to social media platform Locals.com, questioning whether regions of Ukraine should be allowed to break away and join Russia, and appearing to suggest NATO and Ukraine are partially responsible for Russia’s invasion.

The notes, some since deleted, were brought to light late last week.

In one February 24 post, she questions whether regions of Ukraine that “feel more affinity to Russia” should be allowed to break away.

She also said Ukraine should give up its nuclear weapons, even though the country hasn’t possessed them since 2001 when it repatriated them to Russia following the breakup of the Soviet Union.

NDP deputy leader Sarah Hoffman called the apology a positive step, but called on the premier to address the consequences of her comments.

“Danielle Smith has spent several days justifying her appalling remarks about Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and over those days she has caused great pain to Ukrainian Albertans, and great damage to Alberta’s reputation across Canada and around the world.”

After Premier Smith’s earlier clarification that she stands with the Ukrainian people, Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council (UCC-APC) issued a statement saying that the Ukrainian community in Alberta and UCC-APC were disappointed to learn about the comments Premier Smith made regarding Russia’s war against Ukraine: “The comments were misinformed. Russia invaded Ukraine not because of anything the US or NATO or Ukraine did or didn’t do. Russia invaded Ukraine because Russia seeks the destruction of the Ukrainian state and the annihilation of the Ukrainian people. The world is witness to the brutality of Russia’s war, and the systematic war crimes, and crimes against humanity Russia commits against Ukrainian civilians, including women and children”.

UCC-APC said that it looked forward to meeting with Premier Smith as soon as possible to discuss the issues.

After Premier Smith’s latest statement, UCC-APC said that it appreciates the apology and reiterated that it looks forward to meeting and working together with Smith.

With files from Edmonton Journal

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