TRENTON, Canada – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced CAN$59 million ($43.7 million) in new military aid to Ukraine, 14 more sanctions against Russian individuals and nine against the Belarusian financial sector during a news conference Tuesday in Toronto, alongside Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
The $59 million includes 21,000 assault rifles, machine guns and ammunition as Ukraine prepares a possible offensive in the near future against Russia.
The two leaders signed an updated free-trade agreement and Trudeau announced a contract renewal between the Canadian firm, Cameco, and Ukraine for uranium “to keep the lights on,” according to the Canadian prime minister.
They also signed an agreement that will ease restrictions on Canadian and Ukrainian young people who want to work and visit both countries.
Shmyhal said he had a “fruitful discussion” with Trudeau and noted that Canada is one of the top five supporters of Ukraine in military terms. Canada has earmarked CAN$8 billion ($5.9 billion) in financial, military and loan aid to Ukraine to date.
He said Russia has caused $411 billion in damages during its aggression against Ukraine.
“They have to pay for what they have ruined,” he said.
Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who is of Ukrainian descent, spoke at the news conference and said Ukraine is involved in a “fight for democracy.”
“That is why Canada is so determined that Ukraine wins,” she said.
As Trudeau and Shmyhal spoke, Canada’s intelligence agency reported that it is aware of cyberattacks that have put Canadian government websites offline, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
In one example, the Prime Minister’s website cannot be accessed. (Anadolu)
