Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not dismiss the possibility of sending Canadian troops to Ukraine in a future peacekeeping role, as he was visiting the Ukrainian capital to mark the third year of the Russian invasion.
At a Kyiv summit on Feb. 24, Trudeau was asked whether Canada would send boots on the ground to help secure Ukraine’s peace and cooperate with European allies.
“We know we’re going to have to continue to do more and more in an uncertain world,” Trudeau said. “And Canada will be there. As to how we will be there, we will work with our neighbours on it, but everything is on the table,” Trudeau told reporters in the Ukrainian capital alongside a number European leaders.
Trudeau’s discussions with European leaders come amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s push for peace settlement talks with Russia. Trudeau has said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should be included at every stage of the negotiations.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Feb. 16 that his country will be willing to send troops to Ukraine if needed to enforce a potential peace deal.
Trudeau pointed out that Canada began training Ukrainian forces on the ground in 2015, a move he said helped Ukraine withstand the Russian invasion, which began on Feb. 24, 2022.
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Following the press conference, Trudeau was pressed to expand on his comment about potential deployment of troops. In response, he said the “first priority is to make sure that there is a ceasefire and that we set up the conditions for a lasting peace.”
“When we establish the way we’re going to keep a lasting peace … Canada will be involved, but we’re not at that position yet,” Trudeau told reporters, adding that any deployment of Canadian soldiers “is something to take very, very seriously.”
Zelenskyy acknowledged the importance of Canada’s training efforts, noting that “part of our army was prepared by Canadian officers.” He also expressed gratitude for the military assistance Ottawa has provided. “We really appreciate all your help and military packages. So thank you so much,” he added.
Since February 2022, Canada has pledged over $19.7 billion in total support to Ukraine. This includes $12.4 billion in direct financial assistance and $4.5 billion in military assistance with the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks, armoured vehicles, anti-tank weapons, small arms, and ammunition.
On Feb. 24, Trudeau committed to provide Ukraine with $5 billion in aid, to be funded by revenue from frozen Russian assets.
In a press release issued the same day, the prime minister outline additional assistance measures for Ukraine totalling $118.5 million. This includes $92.3 million in development assistance to reduce poverty, enhance food security, and break down barriers to women’s full participation in society. The funding will also support efforts to reunite deported children with their families and locate missing persons.
Another $14 million will be directed toward humanitarian aid, providing food, shelter, clean water, sanitation, hygiene services, and critical mental health support for those affected by the ongoing conflict. A further $8 million will be allocated to weapons threat reduction, supplying personal protective equipment to Ukrainians facing chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
Additionally, $4.25 million will help advance “peace and stabilization operations,” including assisting women’s rights organizations and supporting the work of civil society and media representatives in the area.
As well, $82,000 will be dedicated to support the physical and mental well-being of former Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Ryan Morgan, Aldgra Fredly, and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
