In a written statement, Premier Danielle Smith said that prior to re-entering politics earlier this year, she made ill-informed comments on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
"My knowledge and opinion of this matter have drastically evolved since that time, and I apologize for those previous comments," the statement read. "I have directed my office to actively reach out to Alberta's Ukrainian community leaders in order to ascertain immediate steps we can take to assist Ukrainian refugees to settle and integrate into communities across Alberta as quickly as possible.
She said she categorically condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the 'indescribable suffering Russia has and still is inflicting upon the Ukrainian people.'
"I stand with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people."
Smith's previous comments which were met with swift condemnation from Alberta's NDP, were posted on a forum by the name of on Locals.com, in which she appeared to question that considering that some who live in the Eastern parts of Ukraine, feel stronger political and ideological ties with Russia, that it was perhaps prudent that those areas break away from Ukraine.
In another post, she also seemed to place blame on NATO for provoking a Russian attack on Ukraine.
Smith's apology comes days after she tweeted that in her view her comments on the Ukraine-Russia war were, "attempted politicization by Rachel Notley’s NDP and their allies."
Wed, Apr 17, 7:00 PM
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