Ukraine War · updated 2h ago · 2 min read
Canada Agrees C$350 Million Air Defense Package For Ukraine After Carney Meets Zelenskiy
Canada agreed a C$350 million package to help Kyiv acquire air defense interceptors. Package announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney after meeting Zelenskiy in Calgary.
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9 of 11 outlets skipped it: canada and Ukraine signed a declaration for a century-long security partnership.
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Canada backs air defences
Canada agreed to a C$350 million aid package for Ukraine to acquire air defence interceptors after Prime Minister Mark Carney met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Calgary, Alberta on Thursday.
“this C$350 million equipment package will help protect Ukraine's people, infrastructure, and skies”
Carney said, "Earlier today Canada and Ukraine finalised an agreement to deliver critical air defence interceptors" and described the package as equipment to help protect Ukraine's people, infrastructure and skies.
Zelenskiy said, "I thank you for this package. It's of (the) utmost importance, especially now," as Kyiv faces what the reports describe as a shortage of US-made Patriot interceptors capable of stopping Russia's ballistic missiles.
The Reuters account said the weapons would be provided through a US program that allows third-party nations to quickly buy and supply weapons such as Patriot missiles to Ukraine.
Reuters also said Canada will provide nearly C$435 million in new loan guarantees to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to support energy security in Ukraine, especially during the winter.
Zelenskyy calls it crucial
Zelenskiy told reporters on Thursday that Canada would give Ukraine a "very important package of air defence" and said it was "crucial" as Moscow stepped up attacks.
Carney, speaking in his own remarks, promised Canada would offer more aid to help Ukraine fend off Russian attacks and said Canada would provide support for Ukraine's path to joining NATO and the European Union.
The TRT World account said Zelenskiy also highlighted support for the energy industry as a focus of the visit, with Carney saying, "We've provided support for the energy systems and beyond. We will provide more support."
The Straits Times report put the same message in a Sept 10 framing, saying Zelensky told reporters, "This is a very important package of air defence. This is crucial," and noting the meeting address was due around 10.30am Mountain Time.
Both accounts tied the air-defence push to Kyiv's running critically low on US-made Patriot interceptors capable of stopping Russia's ballistic missiles.
Drones, winter, and more
Beyond interceptors, Carney said Canada aimed to ramp up drone production to produce millions of units within the next two years, with "A third of those would go to Ukraine," according to Reuters.
“A third of those would go to Ukraine, he said.”
Zelenskiy said Ukraine needed more technology and funding to produce enough drones to fend off mass Russian attacks, while the Reuters report said the air-defence and energy deals were signed on Thursday.
The Canberra Times account also said Canada and Ukraine finalised the agreement earlier that day and that Carney did not give details of which interceptors would be delivered or when aid would start flowing.
In addition to air defence and energy security, the Reuters report said Canada would provide nearly C$435 million in new loan guarantees to support energy security in Ukraine, especially during the winter.
The ABC report said Zelenskiy told reporters, "Canada is ready to join our European ballistic missile defense program FREYJA with its technologies," and added that there would be additional defence deliveries.