Zelensky in Canada, promised $482mln in military aid, F16 trainers
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According to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in addition to the C$650 million, Canada will also send F-16 trainers for Ukrainian pilots.
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrives on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on September 22, 2023. (AP)
According to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday, not only will Canada provide Kiev with C$650 million ($482 million), it will also send F-16 trainers for Ukrainian pilots.
Last month, Canada slapped new sanctions targeting four individuals and 29 entities allegedly linked to Russia's military, finance, nuclear, and industrial sectors, as announced by Trudeau.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky landed in Canada for a two-day visit on Thursday. He is expected to address the Canadian House of Commons and sign a bilateral agreement with the government during his time in Ottawa.
While addressing the House of Commons, Trudeau expressed that Canada is committing to a "longer term, multi-year commitment that provides predictable steady support to Ukraine."
It includes "$650 million over three years for 50 armored vehicles, including medical evacuation vehicles, that will be built by Canadian workers in London, Ontario,” Trudeau said during his address at the House of Commons
Canada will also deploy F-16 instructors to train Ukrainian pilots and maintain the loaned fighter planes, according to Trudeau.
In June, Trudeau announced that Canada would be providing Ukraine with 300 medium-range air-to-air missiles and 10,000 rounds of 105mm artillery ammunition.
"We will provide an additional 288 AIM-7 missiles, which will support Ukraine in its efforts to defend Ukrainian skies. And from existing funds, we will provide 10,000 rounds of 105-millimeter ammunition to the Ukraine security forces," Trudeau said at a press conference during his surprise visit to Kiev.
He added that Canada will reportedly join "multinational efforts to train fighter pilots and to help maintain Ukraine's fighter-jet program."
In April, Trudeau pledged that Canada would provide the Ukrainian forces with thousands of assault weapons, dozens of machine guns, and millions of rounds of ammunition.
Simultaneously, the Canadian government has imposed a new round of sanctions on 42 Russian individuals and 21 entities, Global Affairs Canada said on Friday.
The sanctions target Labor Minister Anton Kotyakov; Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO); HSE University; the Russian Geographical Society; the Valdai discussion club; the newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda; and the Patriotic Youth Movement, among others.
