In a significant move, Canada has pledged a $5 billion loan to support Ukraine’s military, humanitarian, and reconstruction initiatives. This substantial financial aid is set to be delivered by the end of the year.
The announcement came during the G7 summit in Italy, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, alongside other global leaders, reached the agreement. This new deal will see the utilization of frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, a concept that has been under consideration since the onset of the war. Trudeau’s one-on-one meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored Canada’s leading role in actualizing this plan.
“Canada is the first country to announce its contribution to this vital agreement,” stated Trudeau, highlighting the nation’s proactive stance. President Zelenskyy echoed this sentiment, noting that the idea of using frozen Russian assets had been on the table since the war’s inception, with Canada taking the initiative to implement it first.
Canada’s commitment extends beyond financial aid, encompassing significant military support. Defence Minister Bill Blair announced that Canada will send approximately 2,000 surplus unarmed rockets to Ukraine, alongside a selection of other military equipment. Canadian specialists have ensured these rockets’ safe operation, despite lacking warheads, making them ready for immediate deployment.
Additionally, Canada is dispatching 29 German-made remotely controlled weapon stations, which can be mounted on various armored vehicles. This shipment also includes 130,000 rounds of small arms ammunition, enhancing Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
In additional news, Canada had imposed new sanctions against Russia. As well, Vladislav Tretiak, the Soviet Union’s goaltender during the iconic 1972 hockey series against Canada, is among 11 individuals newly sanctioned by the Canadian government in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.