Minister Blair attends Conference in Support of Ukraine in Paris, France and concludes visit to Europe

From: National Defence

News release

February 26, 2024 – Paris, France – National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces

Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, participated in the Conference in Support of Ukraine hosted by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France.

At the conference, Heads of State, Heads of Government, and their representatives reaffirmed their support for Ukraine in its fight for freedom, democracy, and sovereignty, and restated their condemnation of Russia’s illegal and full-scale invasion of Ukraine which it launched over two years ago.

In Paris, Minister Blair told allies and partners that Canada’s commitment to supporting Ukraine is steadfast. Two days ago, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the Agreement on security cooperation between Canada and Ukraine, a new, historic agreement that establishes a strategic security partnership between the two countries. The agreement outlines key, long-term security commitments for Canada to continue supporting Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity, protects its people, and rebuilds its economy for the future.

Canada will provide $3.02 billion in critical financial and military support to Ukraine in 2024. This brings Canada’s total commitment of aid to Ukraine since February 2022 to over $13.3 billion in funding – including $4 billion in military assistance. This includes recently-announced donations of over 800 drones, and funding to support Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jet capability. In addition, Canadian Armed Forces members are supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine under Operation UNIFIER, providing training on a range of military skills. Since 2015, the Canadian Armed Forces  have trained more than 40,000 members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine under this operation

The Conference in Support of Ukraine in Paris was Minister Blair’s final stop on a multi-day trip to Europe. On February 25, 2024, Minister Blair and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland visited a military base in Poland where Canadian Armed Forces and Polish Armed Forces members are working together to provide Ukrainian troops with life-saving combat medicine skills.

On February 24, 2024, Minister Blair accompanied Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Kyiv, Ukraine, to mark two years since Russia launched its illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In Kyiv, Minister Blair attended the signing of the Agreement on security cooperation between Canada and Ukraine, and met with the Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, Alexander Kamyshin. Minister Blair and Minister Kamyshin discussed how Canada can best address Ukraine’s most urgent defence needs, and Minister Blair reaffirmed that Canada will continue to provide Ukraine with comprehensive military assistance.

As Ukraine’s brave defenders fight back against Russia’s full-scale invasion, Canada stands with Ukraine.

Quick facts

  • Since February 2022, Canada has committed over $13.3 billion in funding to support Ukraine. This includes:

    • $4 billion in military assistance, such as M777 howitzers, Leopard 2 main battle tanks, armoured combat support vehicles, hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, thermal clothing, body armour, fuel, and more.
    • $7.4 billion in financial support.
    • $352.5 million in humanitarian assistance, including support for emergency health interventions, protection services, and essentials such as shelter, water, sanitation, and food. Programming also addresses child protection, mental health support, and prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence.
    • $186 million in development assistance, such as $15 million from Canada’s $100 million contribution to the Canada-International Finance Corporation Facility for Resilient Food Systems.
    • $198 million in security and stabilization assistance.

  • Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members are supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Latvia under Operation UNIFIER, providing training on a range of military skills. Since 2015, The CAF have trained more than 40,000 members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine under this operation. They have also been assisting with the delivery of military aid for Ukraine from Canada and on behalf of our Allies and partners.

  • Around 300 CAF members are deployed under Operation UNIFIER in various roles, such as the provision and coordination of training, national command support, and the facilitation and delivery of military donations in coordination with Allies and partners.

  • Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Canada has welcomed more than 220,000 Ukrainians. We are helping Ukrainian families find a safe, temporary home and have put support services in place for their arrival. This includes temporary financial assistance and access to federally funded settlement services, such as language training and employment-related services.

  • Canada and Ukraine have long been steadfast partners and close friends. In 1991, Canada became the first Western country to recognize Ukraine’s independence. Today, 1.3 million people of Ukrainian descent call Canada home – the largest Ukrainian diaspora in the Western world.

Associated links

Contacts

Diana Ebadi
Press Secretary and Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Email: Diana.Ebadi@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

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