The Government of Canada will send four additional Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine, doubling its contribution, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion.
“A year ago now, the Kremlin began launching brutal attacks that killed civilians and targeted homes, hospitals. Bullies, like President Putin, will never understand that fear is an impotent weapon against those who fight for their freedom,” Trudeau told a news conference in Toronto.
Ottawa also indicated that new sanctions will be imposed against 122 individuals and 13 entities, including members of the lower house of the Russian Parliament who voted in favor of legislative measures related to the invasion and the attempted annexation of four regions of Ukraine.
Deputy prime ministers, ministers and other members of the cabinet of the President of Russia and the Russian army, as well as family members of people who have already been subject to sanctions are also sanctioned, a- we specified.
“Canada has led the charge globally to bring about the toughest sanctions regime ever imposed on a major economy and to curb President Putin’s ability to finance this illegal war,” said the Minister. Prime Minister.
Trudeau said G7 leaders reaffirmed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a discussion earlier in the day that “our support for Ukraine will remain unwavering for as long as it takes.”
As 365 days have passed since the Russian invasion, Ukraine is preparing for a counter-offensive with weapons from the West. The first of the dozen Leopard tanks promised have also been delivered, Poland announced on Friday.
Last week, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly pointed out that Canada was pressuring other allies to provide more heavy weapons to Ukraine, as promises of massive tank shipments have not yet materialized.
While several European countries, as well as the United States and Britain, have made similar pledges, the numbers so far have fallen short of kyiv’s expectations.
The Canadian Armed Forces has 112 Leopard 2 tanks, but analysts say Ottawa could only supply a small number to Ukraine if Canada is to maintain its own training and operational needs.