Canada to send additional $25 million in protective military gear to Ukraine
CBC
The federal government committed to send at least $25 million in additional non-lethal military aid to Ukraine as that country fights against a Russian invasion.
The deliveries will include helmets, body armour, gas masks and night vision gear. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said she was coordinating with her Polish counterpart to deliver shipments through the NATO member.
"Canada and its allies are working together to equip Ukraine with the tools they need to continue the fight. We hear their calls for more help, and we are doing our part," Joly said.
Joly made the announcement in a press conference Sunday afternoon, speaking with Defence Minister Anita Anand.
Anand said the over $7 million in lethal military aid Canada had previously committed had been delivered. She emphasized a combat mission to aid Ukraine was "not on the table" for Canada or NATO allies, including the United States, though NATO was working to bolster its defences in the region.
Anand did not rule out providing additional lethal military aid to Ukraine.
The announcement comes on a day of rapid developments in the war, as Russian President Vladimir Putin directed his country's nuclear forces to step up to high alert. Ukraine later announced a delegation would meet with Russian officials for talks.
In an interview on Rosemary Barton Live on Sunday morning prior to the aid announcement, Joly said Ukraine cannot negotiate a peace agreement with Russia while under intense military threat.
"We understand the importance of diplomacy, but at the same time, Ukraine cannot negotiate with a gun [to] their head," Joly said.
Russian and Ukrainian officials agreed Sunday to meet near the Ukraine-Belarus border for peace talks.
Joly told guest host David Cochrane that while she was in favour of negotiations, she was "preoccupied" with the gap between what Russia has said and done over the past several weeks.
"We'll wait and see" if the talks are productive, Joly said.
She also denounced a move by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday to up the readiness level of Russia's nuclear forces.
"I'm very concerned about the irrationality of President Putin. But I think that the question of using nuclear weapons in this situation is unconscionable, it's unjustifiable. This madness has to stop."
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