Canada to send ‘lethal’ weapons to Ukraine, PM says

$7.8M VALUE

Canada will send weapons to Ukraine, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday.

“I’ve approved the provision of $7.8 million worth of lethal equipment and ammunition,” Trudeau told reporters.

He said the move is in response to “Ukraine’s specific request,” with the intent of deterring “further Russian aggression.” Other countries including the United Kingdom, the United States and the Netherlands are also sending arms, Trudeau said.

Tensions between Russia and western countries are at a high over fears Russia, which has amassed troops near its border with Ukraine, could invade the country within days.

Trudeau also said Canada will offer a loan of up to $500 million to Ukraine, on top of the $120-million loan Canada offered last month. He said that the funds are part of the “collective G7 response to support Ukraine’s economic resilience.”

“We’re not seeking confrontation with Russia, but the situation is intensifying rapidly and we are showing our resolve,” Trudeau said. “It’s important for Canadians and the world to know that Canada will continue supporting Ukraine and its independence, integrity and sovereignty, including its right to defend itself.”

Ukrainian Canadian Congress president Alexandra Chyczij said in a statement that the provision of weapons by Canada “is a major policy shift, which puts Canada side by side in a coalition of democracies that are steadfastly supporting the Ukrainian peoples’ right to defend their liberty from Russia’s wanton and unprovoked aggression.”

During question period Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly repeated her call for Canadians to leave Ukraine. Canada pulled its military trainers out of Ukraine over the weekend.

“We’re deeply concerned by the continued buildup of Russian troops in and around Ukraine,” she said. “My top priority is ensuring the safety and security of all Canadians on the ground. I’m urging Canadians in Ukraine to leave now.”

Over the weekend, Trudeau spoke with the Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky as well as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. According to a readout sent out by the Prime Minister’s Office, among the issues discussed with the German leader was “potential future cooperation on liquefied natural gas.”

Germany is dependent on imported natural gas from Russia, and its supply is threatened by the prospect of conflict with Russia. Peter Tertzakian, managing director of ARC Financial, said there’s not much Canada could do to provide natural exports to Germany right away, because the facilities are still in the works.

“The need for the gas is now. We are not ready to ship anything, arguably for another two years,” he said.