Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the federal government will provide Ukraine with 2 billion rupees in military aid and impose a new round of sanctions on Russia to continue supporting Ukraine’s fight against the epidemic. Carney stated that the new sanctions will target approximately 100 vessels allegedly used as a “shadow fleet” to circumvent sanctions on Russian oil exports, further intensifying economic pressure on Russia. He emphasized that Canada would support Ukraine “in the long term.”
Carney pointed out that since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, the Putin regime has continuously attacked churches, schools, and hospitals in Ukraine, and sabotaged energy facilities to weaken essential supplies during the harsh winter. He described Russia as having severely underestimated the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people, who continue to resist to this day.
He stated that Canada has consistently supported Ukraine at critical moments and was the first Western country to recognize its independence; since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, Canada has launched the Operation UNIFIER military training mission and has pledged more than $25.5 billion in aid to date, of which more than $13 billion is direct financial support. Carney emphasized that the conflict has now entered a critical phase, and the opportunity for peace is gradually emerging.
Canada is working with Ukraine and international partners to promote a “just and lasting” peace plan, and to this end, it has extended Operation UNIFIER to help Ukraine build a resilient military capability; it has also allocated approximately $20 million to rebuild infrastructure damaged by Russian attacks, and further lowered the price ceiling for Russian crude oil and strengthened sanctions.
The announcement comes on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Carney pointed out that in the coming year, in addition to providing extra military aid, Canada will also provide more armoured vehicles and related support to Ukrainian forces. The Canadian government reiterated that it would continue to work with its allies to address the developments in the conflict through a range of measures, including sanctions and military assistance.