INTERNATIONAL: Canada will offer a loan of up to $393 million (USD) to support Ukraine, which is bracing for a possible Russian invasion, and also committed it would provide $6.1 million (USD) worth of lethal equipment and ammunition, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced on Monday.
Russia has more than 100,000 troops massed near the border of Ukraine. It denies Western accusations that it is planning an invasion but says it could take unspecified "military-technical" action unless a range of demands are met, including barring Kyiv from ever joining the NATO alliance.
Russia has suggested on Monday that it was ready to keep talking to the West to try to defuse the security crisis.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said; "As part of the collective G7 response to support Ukraine's economic resilience, today, we're announcing that Canada will offer a loan of up to $500 million to the government of Ukraine. I want to thank Deputy Prime Minister Freeland for her leadership on this file and underline that this is in addition to the $120 million loan offered earlier in January. On top of financial support, Canada has already taken steps to help Ukraine defend itself, including with the extension of the training mission Operation Unifier. In light of the seriousness of the situation and following conversations with our Ukrainian partners, I've approved the provision of $7.8 million worth of lethal equipment and ammunition. This response is to Ukraine's specific request and is in addition to the non-lethal equipment we've already provided. The intent of this support from Canada and other partners is to deter further Russian aggression.''
Trudeau also says that they are not seeking confrontation with Russia, but the situation is intensifying rapidly and they are showing to resolve. The prime minister has mentioned that it's important for Canadians and the world to know that Canada will continue supporting Ukraine and its independence, integrity, sovereignty, including its right to defend itself.
Canada’s prime minister has told reporters that ; "The goal of this support from Canada and our other partners is to dissuade Russia from pursuing its aggression towards Ukraine.”
In a televised exchange, Putin was shown asking his foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, whether there was a chance of an agreement to address Russia's security concerns or whether it was just being dragged into tortuous negotiations.
Western countries have threatened sanctions on an unprecedented scale if Russia does invade.
Ukraine is already suffering economic damage from the standoff. A surge in the price of 5-year credit default swaps on Ukrainian sovereign bonds suggested that markets gave Kyiv a 42 percent probability of defaulting.
