United to win: Canada to deliver NASAMS air defense system to Ukraine by year’s end

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. They talked about backing the Victory Plan, the outcome of the Montreal conference, and the delivery of Canada's inaugural NASAMS system.

The Office of the President reported that.

The head of state thanked the organizers of the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of the Peace Formula, which took place in Montreal on October 30-31.

"I am grateful to you, Justin, your team, and everyone involved for a successful thematic conference on the fourth point of the Peace Formula, "The release of prisoners and deportees." The next stage is the preparation of the final document – the Peace Plan – based on the results of all thematic conferences," the president said.

The leaders discussed cooperating to organize the second Peace Summit and involving the countries of the Global South in this work.

Justin Trudeau confirmed his support for the Victory Plan, which, on behalf of Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian delegation presented to the head of the Canadian government on the sidelines of the conference.

The Prime Minister announced the shipment of the first NASAMS air defense system ordered by Canada. It should arrive in Ukraine by the end of this year.

The leaders also talked about providing additional defense assistance to Ukraine and the current situation on the battlefield, including North Korea's involvement in the war.

They also decided to collaborate next year during Canada's leadership of the Group of Seven.

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In addition, Canada announced in October that it would provide Ukraine with a military aid package worth C$64.8 million (US$47 million), which will include ammunition, small arms, and protective equipment.

Also, in October, Canada allocated a loan of 400 million Canadian dollars (300 million US dollars) to Ukraine. Since February 2022, Canada has been among Ukraine's top five donors of budgetary support.

Since the start of the full-scale war, Canada has provided $5.4 billion in direct budget support. For 2024, Canada has already allocated $1.9 billion in loans.

It's important to note that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the NATO summit in Washington. 

During the meeting, Trudeau announced an extra 500 million Canadian dollars of military aid.

In addition, at the end of October last year, at a meeting of advisers on national security and foreign policy, Canadian representatives proposed to create a coalition of countries that would facilitate the return of Ukrainian children deported by the aggressor country.

Also, as a leading country in the Coalition for Strengthening the Potential of the Ukrainian Air Force, Canada has undertaken to train Ukrainian pilots over the next five years.