Canada, U.K., Netherlands discuss humanitarian coalition for Ukraine

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson invoked the Battle of Britain as he opened a bilateral meeting Monday with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the two leaders met to discuss the rapidly evolving crisis in eastern Europe.

The two met in the officer's mess under a portrait of the Queen at a Royal Air Force base in Northolt, west of London. It was one of the major bases in the defence of the United Kingdom during the Second World War, and they spoke about its history before turning to the brutal, modern war taking place in Ukraine.

"Canada and the U.K. are at one on many things," Johnson said, before noting the two nations were "particularly united in our stand against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's aggression in Ukraine."

Trudeau said he was happy to be there with "Boris" to support the Ukrainian people and to "hold Russia to account and stand up for democracy around the world."

The two leaders were also on hand for the arrival of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is joining them for further talks later Monday.

The three leaders are discussing Johnson's proposal to create a humanitarian coalition of nations, one point in a six-point plan the U.K. has put forward to address the crisis, where the mounting civilian death toll has caused widespread outrage.

WATCH | Trudeau arrives in Europe for Ukraine-Russia talks:

On Monday, following pleas from French President Emmanuel Macron, Russia agreed to open humanitarian corridors in several Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv, as well as Kharkiv, Sumy and Mariupol, the besieged southern port community.

There is one catch, though, according to maps published by RIA, the Russian news agency — the safe passage corridors lead to either Russia, or the country's ally Belarus. 

The Ukrainian government described the plan as a "completely immoral stunt." 

It may be a moot point, however, as there are several reports that Russian forces have continued their shelling. 

The limited ceasefire came after a weekend where ten of thousands of Ukrainian civilians attempted to flee the Russian bombardments of their cities, but were forced back into shelter after being targeted. 

In addition to the humanitarian crisis, Canada, the U.K. and the Netherlands are discussing what further military assistance the three nations can provide in terms of weapons.

Canada is working on providing anti-weapons, rocket launchers, grenades and other non-lethal equipment. It has previously delivered machine guns, carbines, hand pistols and 1.5-million rounds of ammunition.