Canada’s position on the Russian-Ukrainian War

Abstract

The article examines Canada’s position on the Russian-Ukrainian war since 2014. Since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war, namely the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the hostilities in Donbas, Canada has taken a clear and consistent position: it has not recognized and will never recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. This position of high-ranking Canadian officials provides an unequivocal affirmative answer to the unquestionable support of this state for Ukraine since the illegal annexation and occupation of its territories.

Actually, Canada’s assistance to Ukraine is carried out simultaneously in military, economic, diplomatic, and humanitarian directions. Thus, after the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, Canada imposed sanctions against many individuals and organizations involved in the violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine; Operation UNIFIER was launched in 2015 at the request of the Ukrainian side – a mission to train and improve the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other security forces (part of a multinational joint mission together with other states); the provision of non-lethal equipment to Ukraine by the Canadian Armed Forces: helmets, body armor, goggles, tents, sleeping bags, medical kits, etc.; the provision of financial assistance and grants by Canada in various government areas: support for reforms, assistance in the energy sector, support for the population affected by the fighting in eastern Ukraine. One of the most important points of support from Canada to Ukraine is military and defense assistance, because since 2022 the state has allocated more than 4 billion Canadian dollars for the supply, in particular, of Leopard 2 tanks, M777 howitzers, armored vehicles, air defense systems (for example, NASAMS), anti-tank weapons, ammunition, drone equipment, winter clothing, etc. At the same time, training of Ukrainian military personnel is underway (Operation UNIFIER) – more than 40 thousand people have been trained (from 2015 to 2024). Canada’s humanitarian assistance to Ukraine is extremely significant, in particular the allocation of hundreds of millions of Canadian dollars to provide medical services, shelters, water, sanitation, and protection of the civilian population of Ukraine, as well as its migration policy towards Ukrainian refugees during the Russian-Ukrainian war – Canada opened its borders, created effective social support systems, made language courses available, provided assistance with further employment, provided financial support to refugees, etc. Therefore, Canada’s position on the Russian-Ukrainian war has been clear and unchanged since 2014 – it is comprehensive support for Ukraine (political, economic, military, humanitarian) and condemnation of the Russian Federation’s aggression with all possible consequences.