After his visit to the US capital Washington, Ukrainian President Zelensky was also promised a further military aid package in Canada.
It was a reception fit for a pop star. In the Canadian Parliament, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gives his friend the floor: “Wolodymyr, my friend… You have a special way. You defeat Putin every day. And we will stand by you – as long as it is necessary.
Among the spectators, numerous members of the Ukrainian community also applauded the president and his wife. Zelensky thanks Canadian support. The weapons and equipment would have made it possible to save thousands of lives.
“Life and justice must prevail,” Zelensky said. “Everywhere, in Ukraine and for all Ukrainians. Russian aggression must end with our victory.”
New aid package
Zelenskyj made a surprise stopover after his visit to the White House – bringing with him new promises for arms deliveries from Washington. Looking further from its ally Canada. Trudeau did not disappoint. “We are pledging support to Ukraine over several years so that the country has predictable help for long-term success,” said Trudeau.
The Prime Minister promised Zelenskyj financial aid amounting to the equivalent of around 453 million euros. The three-year aid package includes around 50 armored vehicles and the training of Ukrainian fighter jet pilots.
The aid now promised is in addition to around nine billion Canadian dollars that Ottawa has already provided. Canada and the other partners from the seven largest industrial nations would work with Ukraine to set up a working group in which key experts would give their advice on seizing Russian assets – including those of the Russian central bank.
Canada has one of the largest Ukrainian exile communities in the world
It is Zelensky’s first visit to the North American country since the start of the war. With almost one and a half million people, Canada has one of the largest Ukrainian exile communities in the world. The country has taken in thousands of refugees after Russia’s war of aggression and is considered an important supporter of Ukraine.
Zelensky had previously met US President Biden in Washington. He promised him arms supplies and military support worth hundreds of millions of dollars. As the US broadcaster NBC News reported, citing US officials, these included a small number of the ATACMS short-range missiles that Kiev had requested. Ukraine is also requesting similar cruise missiles from Germany.