Canada continues to support for Ukraine
June 17, 2022
Global Korean Post
Since February 2022, Canada has committed $274 million in military assistance to Ukraine. Canada has committed $147.3 million of the $500 million previously announced in new assistance to Ukraine in Budget 2022.
On June 14, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to express Canada’s ongoing support for Ukraine against Russia’s military aggression and to discuss a range of possible measures of Canadian assistance ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth, G7, and NATO summits.
President Zelenskyy highlighted front-line challenges, specifically in and around Severodonetsk, to the east of Ukraine, and outlined the military assistance required by Ukraine as Russian armed forces continue to attack in the Donbass region. The two leaders discussed what further assistance Canada could provide to support Ukraine, and President Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Prime Minister and President discussed Russia’s persistent indiscriminate bombings and destruction of civilian infrastructure in Donbass, highlighting the gravity of the humanitarian crisis. They also discussed how Canada could engage other leaders at the upcoming Commonwealth summit in an effort to effectively counter Russia’s disinformation in the Global South and address the broader global impacts of Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion.
President Zelenskyy sought Prime Minister Trudeau’s views on longer-term reconstruction in Ukraine, including on the pressing needs for educational infrastructure, as students look to resume classroom activities in the fall.
The leaders also discussed expectations for the upcoming European Council and NATO summits. The Prime Minister expressed his support for Ukraine’s progress toward closer integration into the European Union, and both leaders agreed to stay in close touch.
On June 15, Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, announced that Canada will provide to Ukraine 10 replacement barrels to enable the sustainment of M777 howitzer artillery guns. This military aid is valued at approximately $9 million, and it complements Canada’s previous donation of M777 howitzers, over 20,000 rounds of compatible artillery ammunition, and the Canadian Armed Forces’ training of Ukrainian Forces in the use of this equipment.
