Canada increases support amid delays in US aid
Canada has increased its support to Ukraine amid delays in approving another aid package by the US Congress.
This was announced by the Minister of Finance of Canada, Chrystia Freeland, on the air of the CBC radio.
"In March, Canada provided Ukraine with $2 billion in urgent financial support. It happened at a time <..> when the States were unable to come forward and help Ukraine. We filled the gap," Freeland emphasized.
According to the Canadian diplomat, her compatriots "can be proud of the fact that our country is really contributing to the resistance to Russia and the support of Ukraine, which is NATO's biggest battle."
Freeland added that "upheavals in Congress" deprived the US of the opportunity to provide Ukraine with the help it needs.
"That is the problem. Canadian support to Ukraine is not a problem for Ukraine," the minister assured.
What is known about Canada's aid
Even though Canada is located far from Ukraine, together with the USA, it supported the Ukrainians in the war of aggression launched by Russia.
In total, Canada has provided more than $9.7 billion in financial aid to Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including $2.4 billion in military support.
As reported, within the limits of the military aid package, Canada plans to transfer 800 SkyRanger R70 drones to Ukraine at a total cost of $95 million.
Also, Canada will allocate CAD40 million (almost $30 million) to purchase artillery ammunition for Ukraine within the framework of the Czech Republic's initiative.
In addition, on February 14, it became known that Canada would allocate CAD60 million (about $44 million) for Ukraine's defense.
In particular, the country provided Leopard 2 tanks, air defense systems, artillery for armored vehicles, and ammunition. In addition, 200 Senator armored vehicles, which Canada previously promised to transfer to Ukraine, have already been produced.
Since Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea in 2014, Canada has imposed sanctions against more than 2,600 individuals and entities.
At the end of October, Canadian representatives at a meeting of advisers on national security and foreign policy proposed to create a coalition of countries that would facilitate the return of Ukrainian children deported by the aggressor country.
