Announces additional $500 million loan.
NP-UN National Affairs Desk.
February 14, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he has authorized the provision of additional military assistance to the government of Ukraine to further help the Ukrainian security forces defend against Russia’s unwanted and escalating aggression against Ukraine.
Canada will donate $7.8 million of lethal weapons and assorted support items to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This equipment includes machine guns, pistols, carbines, 1.5 million rounds of ammunition, sniper rifles, and various related equipment.
This donation adds to the more than $23 million of military equipment – including communications gear, a mobile field hospital, explosive disposal equipment, and body armour – that Canada has already given to Ukraine since 2015.
“Canada is deeply concerned by Russia’s military build-up in and around Ukraine, which presents a significant threat to the rules-based international order. Following conversations with our Ukrainian partners, including during my recent trip to Ukraine, Canada has authorized the provision of defensive weapons to assist Ukraine in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. I remain in close contact with my Ukrainian counterpart, Minister Reznikov, and alongside our allies, we will continue to support Ukraine as it protects itself against Russia’s unwarranted aggression,” said Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence.
Also that day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland announced that Canada will offer a loan of up to $500 million to the Government of Ukraine through the Bretton Woods and Related Agreements Act (BWRAA), to support the country’s economic resilience in the face of Russian military aggression. This is in addition to Canada’s offer for a loan up to $120 million, announced on January 21, 2022.
“Ukraine is on the front lines in the struggle between democracy and authoritarianism. The stakes in this conflict are stark and directly relevant to the Canadian national interest. Canada stands united with our G7 and NATO allies in our resolve to protect the economic and democratic stability of Ukraine. And Canada is prepared to respond swiftly to any further Russian military aggression and threatening of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by imposing forceful economic and financial sanctions,” said Freeland.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) welcomed both announcements.
“In this extraordinarily difficult time for Ukraine, Canada has shown again that it is a true friend to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. The provision of lethal defensive weapons puts Canada side by side in a coalition of democracies that are steadfastly supporting the Ukrainian peoples’ defence of their liberty from Russia’s wanton and unprovoked aggression,” stated Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the UCC. “The $500 million in economic support to Ukraine will help greatly to counter Russia’s efforts to destabilize Ukraine’s economy. We are grateful to the Government of Canada and Prime Minister Trudeau for today’s support.”
“As the Ukrainian people bravely defend themselves from Russia’s escalation of aggression and the growing threat of a further Russian invasion of Ukraine, Canada and the Canadian people Stand With Ukraine!” stated the UCC in its release.
“Last week on February 6, over 30 communities in all ten provinces came together to show their support for the Ukrainian people, their right to self-determination and freedom, and called for strong and swift support from the Canadian government. Today, Canada joins our allies in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Czech Republic and others in providing the Ukrainian people with the means to defend themselves against Russia’s war of aggression,” it continued.
“We are deeply thankful to all the thousands and thousands of people who came out to support these rallies all across Canada,” stated Ihor Michalchyshyn, UCC CEO. “It is thanks to your unity, dedication and the commitment of organizers and volunteers from coast to coast that the UCC can advocate effectively for these important policies. The UCC will continue working hard to represent you”.
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