Ukraine needs more weapons as war with Russia enters ‘very important’ phase: ambassador-designate

Russia's war in Ukraine is expected to escalate ahead of May 9, when Russia celebrates 'Victory Day,' Canadian officials have warned.

As Ukraine faces a “very important” phase of its fight against the Russian invasion in the coming weeks, it needs more weapons from allies, including Canada, to boost that fight, says the country’s ambassador-designate.

Yuliia Kovaliv addressed MPs at the House of Commons foreign affairs committee on Monday and urged Canada to continue its support for Ukraine.  She said Ukraine needs more heavy weaponry, and for Canada to advocate for an oil and gas embargo against Russia and investigations into war crimes.

“We need military aid now,” said Kovaliv. “We do expect that the next few weeks will be very important in terms of defending our territory, so we urge for the military support within the next days and weeks.”

Her testimony comes after Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly warned last week that Canadian officials expect Russian aggression to escalate ahead of May 9, when Russia celebrates ‘Victory Day’.

Joly pointed to the date during the committee as a factor in the rapid scale-up of military weaponry being sent or pledged to Ukraine by NATO allies. That includes Howitzer missiles and armoured vehicles sent from Canada over the past week.

Kovaliv said Ukraine needs more, and fast.

“The situation in Ukraine is challenging. The missile attacks are everywhere, even Lviv,” she said, referencing the western Ukrainian city furthest from the most intense fighting now centred in the east.

As Russia shifts the bulk of its aggression to the eastern Donbas region, countries including Canada are weighing timelines for reopening embassies in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.