Days after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s comments about the Russia-Ukraine war came to light, the UCP leader has issued an apology.
In a statement posted on Twitter on Tuesday, Smith said he is “reaffirming his condemnation” of the invasion and apologized for the earlier comments.
“I categorically condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the unspeakable suffering that Russia has inflicted and is still inflicting on the Ukrainian people,” the prime minister wrote.
“Before I re-entered politics earlier this year, I made some ill-informed comments about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. My knowledge and opinion on this subject has evolved dramatically since then, and I apologize for the previous comments.”
Today I reaffirm my condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and offer my apologies for previous comments. pic.twitter.com/bCpwiRV5Dz
—@ABDanielleSmith
The past comments emerged over the weekend after a freelance journalist published comments Smith made on social media platforms ahead of his ultimately successful bid to become leader of the United Conservative Party and prime minister.
In a live chat on April 29, Smith said, “The only answer for Ukraine is neutrality,” adding that he understands why Russia would have a concern with a Western-aligned Ukraine armed with weapons nukes at your door. Ukraine surrendered its nuclear weapons in the 1990s.
In a post on February 24, he said: “I read that two regions of Ukraine feel more affinity with Russia. Should nations be allowed to break away and govern themselves independently? If this is really what the people want, I think so. But is that what people want, or is it propaganda?”
On Monday, opposition critic Sarah Hoffman said it was “tone-deaf” and “cruel” for Smith to urge Ukraine to accept neutrality even though its people were fighting and dying in the Russian invasion and apologized to the first minister
Hoffman responded to Smith’s statement on Tuesday, calling the apology a positive step. However, he said Smith had caused pain to Ukrainian Albertans and damage to the province’s reputation.
Hoffman added that the NDP is “looking forward to what else will be done to address the damage that was done to Alberta’s communities, our economy and our image on the world stage.”
Smith wrote Tuesday that his office is reaching out to leaders of Alberta’s Ukrainian community to take steps to help refugees settle in Alberta communities.
“I am with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” he wrote.