Canada will provide the Armed Forces of Ukraine with fuel and bridging equipment

13 July, 2023 ATC-5.5 fuel fillers. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Canada announced a new military aid package to support Ukraine and strengthen transatlantic security.

Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister, announced CAD 541 million (£410 million) in new funding and projects to support Ukraine and strengthen transatlantic security at the NATO Summit in Vilnius. The new funding for Ukraine builds on the over £8 billion in multifaceted assistance Canada has dedicated since the beginning of 2022. According to Trudeau, Canada intends to respond to a direct request from Ukraine by providing additional drone cameras.

Canada will also now provide training and capacity building to the Ukrainian military under Operation UNIFIER in Canada.

Olaf Scholz, Joe Biden, and Justin Trudeau at the NATO summit. July 2023. Photo from Justin Trudeau's page

This summer, the Royal Military College Saint-Jean will welcome Officer cadets from Ukraine for an intense three-week training program developed in partnership with NATO.

The Prime Minister further announced an additional CAD 48.8 million (£37 million) to the Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) for Ukraine. This contribution will support NATO's provision of non-lethal practical assistance to Ukraine through donations of material, including fuel, bridging equipment, rations, and first aid. Canada is also a member of the group of 11 partner countries that signed a memorandum defining the conditions for training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.

As previously reported, a coalition of 11 countries will start training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets in August.

F-16 Fighting Falcon of the Romanian Air Force. August 2020. Photo credits: Ministry of National Defense of Romania

However, it is worth noting that Canada did not support the US decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions.

Ottawa recalled that it is a signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which has been ratified by more than 100 countries.

"We do not support the use of cluster munitions and are committed to putting an end to the effects cluster munitions have on civilians - particularly children," the statement said.