Canada offers Ukraine non-lethal equipment and up to 400 troops as it faces potential Russian aggression

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Ottawa: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has rejected Ukraine’s arms request for now, saying he believes a diplomatic solution is needed to deal with the Russian aggression.

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Trudeau said at a news conference on Wednesday that Canada would send defensive equipment such as bullet-proof jackets and night-vision goggles to Ukraine, but would not yet send weapons.

Ukraine faces threats from more than 100,000 Russian troops on its borders and has urged Canada to send weapons.

Trudeau also announced that Operation Unifier, a 200-troop mission to train Ukrainian troops, would receive an immediate boost to 60 more troops, with the mission expected to increase to 400 troops.

“We are continuing the training missions Canadian troops have been engaged in for many years in Ukraine to ensure that Ukrainians can defend their territorial integrity, defend their democracy,” he said.

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Trudeau said Russia’s actions are a threat to democracy not only in Ukraine but around the world.

“Choosing an autocratic country like Russia to use its military might, to intimidate and threaten an independent democracy to succumb to its will, constrain the way forward, is not just a threat to Ukrainians. It is a threat to all of us. Those who believe in the rights of citizens to choose their own governments and the direction of their country.”

Britain and the US have backed Ukraine in recent weeks with offensive weapons, including anti-tank missiles.

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This week, in a petition to Canada, the Ukrainian embassy said in a statement, “We have hundreds of Russian tanks and armored vehicles deployed along the Ukrainian border and in the occupied parts of Ukraine. Faced with the risk of another Russian invasion, We need to protect our land. The UK and US have already shipped military equipment and we would appreciate it if Canada follows suit.

Trudeau said he wanted to show Canada’s support for Ukraine, but the solution should be a diplomatic one, though he did not rule out sending weapons in the future.

“We know that the solution to this tension must be diplomatic, not military, which is why we continue to demonstrate our firmness with the people of Ukraine by insisting on a peaceful solution.”

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Russia has been steadily increasing its troops along the Ukrainian border for months. The units included thousands of soldiers as well as armored vehicles and tanks and are now spread across the border areas with Ukraine, in Moscow-friendly Belarus and in Crimea, a part of Ukraine Russia already involved in previous conflicts.

In unsuccessful diplomatic exchanges between Russia and Western governments, Russia has demanded that Ukraine be permanently banned from joining NATO and that NATO forces pull out of Russia’s neighboring countries. All those demands have been rejected.

Defense Minister Antiya Anand said the training mission is invaluable for Ukraine.

“The biggest contribution Canada can make to Ukraine right now is the people. We have trained more than 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers, our soldiers have trained. We must not underestimate the importance of this training mission.”

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Trudeau said expanding the mission would cost $340 million. Canada has already extended a $120 million economic loan to Ukraine, which Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie said was a top priority for Ukrainian officials when she met him. Canada is also providing intelligence and support to prevent cyberattacks.

Canada recently removed the families of Canadian diplomats from the country as tensions escalated.

Trudeau said he stood with allies who have warned Russia expects economic sanctions to punish it if it strikes.

“Russia need not be under the illusion that the concrete vision of Western democracies will be clear and strong in terms of economic impact on Russia,” he said.

Conservative lawmakers condemned Trudeau’s announcement as less than what was needed.

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“The lack of action by Prime Minister Trudeau calls into question the Liberal government’s support for Ukraine in their fight against Russia’s aggression. The time for half-measures is too long. Ukraine needs Canadian support and today Mr. Trudeau has let them down,” read a statement from several party MPs.

The Conservatives called on Trudeau to provide lethal weapons, satellite imaging, and use Magnitsky Act sanctions to deter Russia.

Canada is home to more Ukrainians than any country outside Russia or Ukraine. Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland is of Ukrainian descent, having lived in the country as a student and encouraging its independence movement.

He, however, said Canada’s move was not about its close personal ties with the country.

“I want to be very clear today. Canada’s policy towards Ukraine in the current crisis is not guided by the humanitarian ties that have been built with a special relationship,” she said. “It is a direct challenge to the rules-based international order.” and seeks to replace it with a world in which the right can happen and where the great powers, the nuclear-armed powers, have the authority to redraw borders.”

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