Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is now apologizing for past comments she made about Ukraine before she was elected..On Tuesday evening, Smith issued a release to the media to apologize.."I categorically condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the indescribable suffering Russia has and still is inflicting upon Ukrainian people," Smith stated.."Prior to re-entering politics earlier this year, I made some 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.".READ MORE: Smith reaffirms her support for Ukraine.Smith released a statement early Saturday morning to let the Ukrainian people know she supports them..“I'm very supportive of the decision that Premier Jason Kenney made in supporting the Ukrainian population," Smith said.."We have a large patriot Ukrainian population in Alberta and I would hope that we would be able to do more.".Smith says she knows that there are various groups who have expressed an interest in sponsoring refugees and they face some barriers and difficulties at the federal level.."I think that that would be the best way that we would be able to lend a hand and support. But I'll reserve judgment until I have a chance to talk to get a briefing on intergovernmental affairs as well as talk to my caucus and cabinet on that. But I'm supportive of the decisions that we've made so far," she said..Smith thanked Premier Ed Stelmach and former minister Thomas Lukaszuk for their efforts.."I think former Premier Ed Stelmach and former minister Thomas Lukaszuk have just shown amazing leadership in putting together a community of support so that not only can they provide safe haven to those who have been able to make it here, but also provide emergency supplies and that kind of grassroots effort," Smith said..Earlier Saturday, Alberta's NDP Leader Rachel Notley, Deputy Leader Sarah Hoffman, and MLA Deron Bilous called out Smith for comment she made earlier this year about Ukraine..On February 24, before she announced she was returning to politics, Smith posted comments online saying: "My initial take it seems to me the great powers of the world did a terrible job defining the new borders of countries after World War II."."So much of the conflict we have had since is due to different people being crammed under one national government that don't like each other. I've read that two regions of Ukraine feel more affinity to Russia, should nations be allowed to break away and govern themselves independently? If that's truly what people want, then I think so. But is that what the people want? Or is it propaganda hard to know what to believe anymore? Any help sorting this through I would appreciate.".On Tuesday, Smith said she has directed her office to "actively reach out to Alberta's Ukrainian community leaders in order to ascertain immediate steps the province can take to assist Ukrainian refugees to settle and integrate into communities across Alberta as quickly as possible."."I stand with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people," Smith said.
