Canada Sending Additional $25M Military Aid To Support Ukraine

The Government of Canada continues to take strong and decisive action in response to the Russian regime’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, announced that Canada will be sending an additional $25M in military aid to support Ukraine in its efforts to retain sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

This aid is in response to Ukraine’s direct request to Canada for further protective equipment and could include items such as helmets, body armour, gas masks and night vision gear.

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will support the latest donation of aid announced today by providing two C-130J tactical airlift aircraft and a team of 40-50 personnel to contribute to NATO efforts in Europe for a period of at least two weeks, with continued requirement being reassessed. These aircraft will depart Canada in the coming days. The final destination of CAF aircraft will not be disclosed at this time to ensure the safety of our personnel.

The Government of Canada continues to condemn the Russian government’s aggressive actions and call on Russia to cease its military actions and withdraw from Ukraine. We will continue to take action to stand with Ukraine as they fight for freedom and the right to choose their own future.

“Canada stands united with the Ukrainian people, who have demonstrated immense courage and resolve in the face of tyranny. We are working with our allies to ensure Ukrainian military personnel are properly equipped and together with our partners in Poland, we are working to deliver necessary military materials without delay. We will continue to provide support to the Ukrainian people as they fight to defend their nation and its freedom.” The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“Canada stands with Ukraine as it meets Putin’s horrifying aggression with strong resistance. At Ukraine’s request and in coordination with NATO allies, we are providing additional non-lethal aid and Canadian Armed Forces airlift to bolster our Ukrainian friends’ ability to defend their right to exist.

In the hours, days and weeks to come, we will continue to work with partners and allies to respond to Putin’s unwarranted aggression against Ukraine and to defend the rules-based international order.” The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence

Since 2014, Canada has provided Ukraine with more than $890 million in multifaceted assistance to support Ukraine’s security, prosperity, and reform objectives. In addition, the government recently announced additional funding on February 14, 2022 with up to $500 million through the Bretton Woods and Related Agreements Act, and on January 21 another $120 million in loans through the Sovereign Loans Program (SLP) to support the country’s economic resilience and governance reforms.

Through Canada’s Peace and Stabilization Operations Program, Canada is currently supporting over $16 million in ongoing multi-year programming focused on security sector and defence reform in Ukraine, including a strong focus on advancing Ukraine’s Women Peace and Security National Action Plan.

Since 2015, Canada has provided over $30M in non-lethal military equipment to Ukraine, excluding today’s announcement. That equipment included items such as: communications systems used for field operations, a mobile field hospital, and explosive disposal equipment.

Since the start of Operation UNIFIER, Canadian troops have conducted more than 700 courses, training more than 33,000 Ukrainian military and security personnel in battlefield tactics, maneuver, and other advanced military skills. This support is in addition to the recent announcement of the extension and expansion of Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) training and capacity-building mission in Ukraine.

Operation UNIFIER harmonizes its efforts with other nations through a Multinational Joint Commission. This commission includes Canada, Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.