Amidst dwindling American support, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fortifies his ties with Canada, securing a noteworthy aid of 650 million Canadian dollars.
On Friday, the Ukrainian President met with his ally, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau has committed to providing additional assistance to the conflict-ridden nation. This meeting was a part of Zelensky’s international tour designed to bolster global support for Ukraine. Prior to this, Zelensky, who arrived in Ottawa late Thursday, had addressed the United Nations and met with U.S. Congress and President Joe Biden, who pledged to deliver American tanks to reinforce Ukraine’s arsenal.
Canada is home to the second-largest Ukrainian diaspora. In his address to the Canadian Parliament, Zelensky expressed gratitude for the unwavering support Kyiv has received since the outbreak of the war with Russia in February 2022. He emphasized that the global plea for support was not merely about a regular dispute but essentially about saving millions of lives. He praised Canada for always advocating for justice and had no doubt about their commitment to freedom and justice when Russia launched an all-out war against Ukraine.
Zelensky concluded his speech with a phrase introduced to him by Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon, which roughly translates to “Never give up; remain strong despite all adversities.”
On his part, Trudeau vowed to continue Canada’s steadfast support to Kyiv, announcing on Friday an additional aid package worth 650 million CAD over three years. This aid will include 50 armored vehicles, training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, in addition to the previously given 6.6 billion USD (approx. 8.9 billion CAD) by Ottawa.
Addressing the Parliament, Trudeau stated, “History will judge us on how we defend democratic values. And Ukraine stands at the forefront of this monumental challenge of the 21st century.”
Both leaders are scheduled to proceed to Toronto for meetings with business leaders and members of the Canadian-Ukrainian community.
However, with a waning interest in the Ukrainian issue among the Republican Party in Washington and apparent war-weariness in Europe, Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland expressed concerns over the durability of support for Kyiv. In a recent interview with CBC Radio, she stated the necessity of working hard to maintain this alliance and international backing for Ukraine.
Furthermore, Canada’s military aid to Ukraine has surpassed CAD 1.3 billion, incorporating Leopard 2 tanks, air defense systems, artillery, anti-tank weapons, drones, and other equipment. Over 36,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained by Canadian forces. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland affirmed Canada’s unwavering dedication, stating, “If we can play a role in bolstering the backbones of some of our other friends and allies, we’re pleased to do so.”
While in the US, Zelensky sensed a dip in political backing for his country’s weapons requests. Biden reassured Zelensky at the White House, emphasizing solidarity. The Ukrainian leader welcomed the commitment to more US weapons, including air defense systems and rapid tank deliveries.
Yet, behind Oval Office formalities, Zelensky’s recent Washington visit was considerably more challenging than his first. In December, he was hailed as a hero. This time, he faced an uphill battle in closed-door congressional meetings, wrestling with Republican wariness over war expenditures.
Republican hindrances loom over a new $24 billion aid package for Ukraine, sought by the Democratic president, turning it into a contentious spending debate potentially leading to a US government shutdown. To date, Congress has approved aid worth $100 billion, including $43 billion for arms.
