Canada is emerging as one of Ukraine’s most stalwart allies in its long conflict with Russia. The country has promised upwards of $19.7 billion in military, humanitarian, and financial assistance. This holistic approach to support includes military, humanitarian, and financial assistance focused on strengthening Ukraine’s defense and recovery efforts. Ottawa has counted the overall support at around $22 billion, a sign of Canada’s strong commitment to tackling the crisis.
Since the beginning of the conflict, Canada has prioritized several key humanitarian efforts. One of these is a focused push to repatriate Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia. Additionally, Canada plays a crucial role in maintaining maternal health services in Ukraine, ensuring that essential health care remains accessible amid the turmoil.
Canada as a country is stepping up to do their part by clearing and safeguarding these deadly landmines. These munitions carry a grave risk to civilians who reside in areas impacted by conflict. The Canadian government’s strong commitment to humanitarian assistance demonstrates its resolve to support Ukraine in ways other than military aid.
For more than two years, Canada has been actively involved in discussions and consultations to find a path to a peace deal in Ukraine. The country’s most senior military official also participated in NATO discussions to align possible military contributions to the conflict. As Prime Minister Mark Carney stated, “It’s a fluid situation; it’s a delicate situation, so I’m not going to describe specifics.”
Expanding the financial offensive against Russia is still an option. Canada is considering steps to forfeit Russian holdings in foreign banks to finance Ukraine’s war effort and impose sanctions on countries supporting Russia’s war economy. These measures are a clear signal that Canada is prepared to take a principled stand against aggressors.
Canada has increased our overall efforts to help preserve peace in Ukraine. This support is dependent on the successful promotion and establishment of a tangible ceasefire agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This is going to require seismic shifts. That will require redeploying several hundred Canadian troops from their current NATO mission in Latvia to Ukraine.
While the Canadian government has made admirable commitments, it encounters significant constraints when it comes to military resources. The government’s air-patrol capability is not enough. It further lacks the naval assets required to command the Black Sea and the heavens above Ukraine. According to Carleton University professor Stephen Saideman, “We don’t really have a whole lot on the shelves to send them.”
If a ceasefire is made, Canada could be deploying several hundred troops to Ukraine to provide training. Saideman noted, “If there’s a ceasefire, then we can train them in Ukraine. So that would be a couple hundred troops doing that.” This possible new deployment would be consistent with Canada’s whole-of-government approach to strengthening Ukraine’s military capabilities through training and assistance.
Canadian financial support consists of loans meant to support the functioning of the Ukrainian government and help manage its debt. These financial steps are paramount, even as Ukraine fights on and adapts to the brutal reality of war and the process of rebuilding.
Expert on Eastern European affairs Marcus Kolga, speaking on his native Canada’s responsibility to support Ukraine, made the case for making sure that Ukraine wins. He asserted, “We can put the brakes on all this by ensuring that Ukraine wins,” highlighting the need for sustained support for the Ukrainian military.
Kolga cautioned that failure to stop Russia’s advances and let them regroup and rearm would only lead to more instability. “He will rearm himself. He will reconstitute his forces — which are significant already,” Kolga stated. This worry adds urgency for Canada and its allies to keep the current pressure on Russia, while continuing to support Ukraine.
