Canada announced new military and energy support for Ukraine on Thursday, including C$350 million (US$253 million) in air defense assistance and C$450 million in energy loan guarantees. The funding was part of a broader effort to deepen ties with Ukraine during a visit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Defense Commitments Expand

Mark Carney, the interim leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, hosted Zelenskyy in Calgary, where he emphasized Canada’s ongoing support for Ukraine; “Canada will always be with you,” Carney said. The support includes funding through the United States’ Joint Ukraine Multinational Program – Services, Training and Articles Rapid Timeline (Jumpstart) program.

In addition to air defense support, Canada also pledged 200 Canadian-made armored vehicles worth $90 million, according to Maryam Monsef, Canada’s minister of foreign affairs; the vehicles are being purchased from Roshel, a Mississauga-based company. Eight of the same Roshel-made armoured personnel carriers were sent to Ukraine earlier this year.

Energy and Infrastructure Aid

The C$450 million in loan guarantees will be used to repair damaged energy infrastructure, increase storage capacity, and improve power supply to hospitals. Carney said the goal of the energy support is “to help Ukrainians get through the winter,” when rolling blackouts and low temperatures have already become a challenge.

Since the war began in February 2022, Canada has pledged more than $1 billion in military assistance to Ukraine — this includes 39 armoured combat support vehicles, ammunition, and M777 Howitzers. Most recently, Ottawa committed to providing an American-made air defense system at a cost of $406 million.

Long-Term Partnership

During the visit, the leaders signed an agreement to work toward a “hundred-year partnership” in areas such as defense, critical minerals, and energy, but Carney noted that Ukrainians have helped build Canada since 1893 and that the same spirit would guide the rebuilding of Ukraine. In Alberta alone, an estimated 350,000 Canadians have Ukrainian heritage.

Zelenskyy has emphasized the need for increased air defense as Russia continues its missile attacks, and Carney said the new support is a step toward strengthening the alliance between the two nations. Anand, during a surprise visit to Kyiv, also held a meeting with Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov to discuss security needs.