Ukraine needs Canada to send ‘defensive weapons’ amid Russian standoff: official

Ukraine is grateful for Canada's support, but more can be done, said Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council.

In light of growing tensions with Russia, Ukraine needs Canada to urgently send it “defensive weapons,” a Ukrainian national security official told Global News.

The request, which is among Ukraine’s top asks of Canada, comes at a time when several Western nations fear a Russian military invasion of the former Soviet state is becoming possible. Global News has learned Canada is considering whether to ship small weapons like firearms and ammunition to the country.

With no end in sight to the current situation, Ukraine needs to prepare for the worst, said Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, an advisory group that deals with national security and defence issues under the president of Ukraine.

“We are grateful … for all the assistance provided by the Government of Canada and from the people of Canada,” he told Global News’ Crystal Goomansingh in Kyiv on Wednesday.

“If we would like to have more in such times, yes, for sure – and what should this be? It’s defensive weapons, defensive weapons and once more, defensive weapons.”

Danilov, who spoke through a Ukrainian translator, added his country is ready to defend itself in the case of a Russian invasion.

“This is our land, and we will protect it,” he said.

On Wednesday, Russia warned it would retaliate if the United States and its allies reject its security demands around Ukraine.