Guilbeau spoke to reporters while in New York for the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. He was asked about the timing of Putin’s decision to announce the partial mobilization of Russian reserves on the eve of that meeting — the first such mobilization in Russia since World War II. 3:12 Putin warns Ukraine conflict could get more serious after telling Modi they want war to end Putin warns Ukraine conflict could get more serious after telling Modi they want war to end war “What I would say is that Canada will continue to be there, standing by our Ukrainian friends and allies,” Guilbeau said, adding that he expects Foreign Minister Melanie Joly to be in a better position to deal with Russian mobilization later During the day. Story continues below ad “Clearly, President Putin is desperate to find ways to get people to pay attention to what he’s doing. I don’t think it’s working,” Guilbeault added. “We are moving forward internationally on these important priorities despite what President Putin says.” Trending Stories

			Canada prepares to drop COVID-19 vaccine mandate at border: government sources 	   				Putin orders partial mobilization of Russian troops as Ukraine counterattacks 	     



		Read more: Ukraine’s military gains threaten Putin’s propaganda grip: ‘The bubble is bursting’ 		
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			Ukraine’s Military Gains Threaten Putin’s Propaganda: ‘Bubble Burst’

Putin’s decision to mobilize reserves comes amid humiliating battlefield losses for Kremlin forces in recent weeks, as Ukrainian fighters press a fierce counteroffensive to retake occupied territory. The Russian leader, in a seven-minute televised address to the nation broadcast on Wednesday morning, also warned the West not to bluff by using all means at its disposal to protect Russia’s territory, in what appeared to be a veiled reference . on Russia’s nuclear capability. The total number of reservists to be called up could reach 300,000, officials said. Even a partial mobilization is likely to increase frustration or sow doubts among Russians about the war in Ukraine. Shortly after Putin’s speech, Russian media reported a sharp rise in demand for air tickets abroad, amid an apparent drive to leave despite exorbitant flight prices.

		Read more: Russians rush to leave nation after Putin orders partial military mobilization

Story continues below ad US President Joe Biden addressed Putin’s mobilization during his address to the General Assembly on Wednesday morning, calling the invasion of Ukraine “a war of one man’s choice”. He said that in the past year, the world has faced “great turmoil” with the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, record-breaking heat, droughts and floods, and food shortages. Biden called on the world to “be clear, firm and unwavering in our resolve” against Russia. “Russia has shamelessly violated the basic principles of the United Nations Charter,” Biden said, adding that “President Putin has made overt nuclear threats against Europe.” “Now Russia is calling in more troops… the Kremlin is staging a fake referendum to try to annex parts of Ukraine in a hugely important violation of the UN Charter. People need to see these outrageous events for what they are,” he continued. “This war is about removing Ukraine’s right to exist as a state, plain and simple … that should make your blood run cold.” More to come. — with files from The Associated Press. © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.