Canada has announced a new package of long-term support for Ukraine, covering joint defence manufacturing, air defence, energy, veterans’ programmes and the repatriation of children. Following these new commitments, the total amount of Canadian aid to Ukraine since the start of 2022 has exceeded 26 billion dollars. The announcement was made on 10 September in Calgary by the leaders of the two countries.
Briefly about the main points
- Canadian aid to Ukraine has exceeded 26 billion dollars since 2022.
- $350 million will be allocated for air defence interceptor missiles.
- New EBRD guarantees will support gas procurement and reserve power generation.
- Canada is setting up a multi-donor fund for veterans and their families.
- The parties signed a 100-year partnership declaration.
Drones and new defence-industrial cooperation
Canada is to launch the Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace — a national digital marketplace for drones, modelled on the Ukrainian platform Brave1. According to the Canadian government, nearly 400 suppliers have already been qualified within the system, and initial contracts for Canadian manufacturers could reach 50 million Canadian dollars.
General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada and the Ukrainian company Green Tech Harvest are launching a partnership for the development and manufacture of drones and related technologies. This is the second publicly announced Canadian-Ukrainian project for the manufacture of UAVs this year.
The governments have agreed on a long-term partnership for the joint production of unmanned systems, counter-drone measures and priority munitions. The joint statement also refers to electronic countermeasures, research, technology transfer and anticipated procurement of jointly manufactured products.
Funding for civil defence and security
Canada is to allocate $350 million for the supply of critical interceptor missiles for Ukrainian air defence systems as part of the JUMPSTART initiative. This funding complements previous Canadian investments in priority air defence programmes, which the Canadian government estimates to be worth more than 1.2 billion Canadian dollars.
Canada will provide a further $23 million to strengthen Ukraine’s security capabilities.
Guarantees for the energy sector and loans for reconstruction
New Canadian loan guarantees to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will total nearly 435 million dollars. They will be channelled towards energy security, in particular the purchase of gas for the winter period and additional generators to produce electricity during periods of shortage.
Through Export Development Canada Ukraine is to receive $200 million in preferential loans for reconstruction. Canada will also contribute $10 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, bringing its total contribution to $100 million, and will allocate $2 million to the International Energy Agency’s joint work programme on the development of Ukraine’s energy resources.
Veterans, the return of children and strategic declarations
Canada will lead the establishment of a multi-donor fund to support Ukrainian veterans and their families. It plans to allocate up to $40.1 million towards the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of veterans into civilian life.
Up to $6 million has been earmarked for the return and reintegration of Ukrainian children who have been unlawfully deported and forcibly displaced by Russia. At the same time, Canada is imposing sanctions on eight individuals implicated in violations of children’s rights.
The leaders also announced an initiative on critical minerals, signed a 100-year partnership declaration and a joint declaration on strengthening defence and security cooperation. In the joint statement, these documents are described as a political framework for a future comprehensive strategic partnership.
