**Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Expected to Resign**
Justin Trudeau, the leader of Canada‘s Liberal Party, is expected to announce his resignation as party leader on or before January 8. This was reported by Canada’s Globe and Mail on January 5, citing three unnamed sources.
It is unclear if Trudeau will remain as prime minister until a new Liberal Party leader is selected, or if he will step down immediately. Trudeau has faced pressure from his own party members after the abrupt resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
**Pressure Mounts Against Trudeau**
Trudeau’s popularity has been declining over the past year, and many in his party are calling for him to resign. The situation became even more tense after Freeland quit her post on December 16, citing a lack of confidence from the Prime Minister.
Freeland, who served as deputy prime minister, was replaced by Trudeau, but this move drew heavy criticism from government MPs. Dozens of Liberal caucus members demanded Trudeau’s resignation following Freeland’s departure.
**Canada’s Next Election**
With opposition parties vowing to vote “no confidence” in the government during the next sitting of parliament, which is scheduled for January 27, an election may be called soon. The Conservative Party leader, Pierre Poilievre, has been consistently polling ahead of Trudeau and would likely win a majority government if an election were held today.
**Ukraine Support**
Canada has been a strong supporter of Ukraine under Trudeau’s leadership, providing $13.5 billion in assistance, including $3.1 billion in military aid. Freeland, who is of Ukrainian background and fluent in Ukrainian, was the government’s most vocal supporter of Ukraine.
**World News: Ukraine Update**
In other news from Ukraine:
* President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko apologized to him for the country’s involvement in the war.
* Zelensky also offered to buy American weapons with frozen Russian assets worth $300 billion.
* A total of 3,800 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded by Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.
* A court in Ukraine convicted a Russian commander for a missile strike on Hroza.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com