Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, and Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, announced Sunday that Canada will be providing Ukraine with an additional $25 million in non-lethal equipment.
During a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Joly explained that the equipment will include helmets, body armour, gas masks and night vision gear.
“We hear their call for more help and we are doing our part. This week, the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine asked me directly for more equipment to keep their fighters safe,” said Joly.
More equipment will be sent in the near future.
The announcement comes a few hours after federal Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra announced that Canada's airspace would be closed to all Russian aircraft, effective immediately.
Canada is now working with Poland to ensure the non-lethal equipment makes it to Ukraine as quickly as possible.
Ukraine has asked for more equipment to keep their soldiers safe. They need helmets, body armour and gas masks.
— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) February 27, 2022
Canada is delivering just that with an additional $25M worth of protective gear.
And there will be more. pic.twitter.com/y6HU4kh4Vi
G7 Foreign Affairs Ministers met Sunday morning to discuss the response to the conflict that has arisen in Ukraine in recent days.
"We are working to suffocate the Russian regime. We are working with measures that were described as a last resort days ago," added Minister Joly.
Minister Anand said that additional airlift support has been approved. This support will be facilitated by the Canadian Armed Forces.
The first aircraft, which is meant to be used by NATO, is scheduled to depart for Europe on Monday, Feb. 28.
Anand added that Canada will also be offering up cybersecurity experts to help Ukraine “defend its networks against cyber attacks that increasingly forming a part of modern-day warfare.”
Anand explained that Canadian Armed Forces have helped to prepare more than 33,000 Ukrainian soldiers for “the very circumstances we are witnessing now” through training missions.
“A combat mission is not on the table at this time, nor is it on the table for our allies, including the United States,” said Anand.
Canadian Armed Forces personnel are in Poland and are ready to support the effort with humanitarian efforts, when required.
