The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence; the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship; and the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development) today issued the following statement:
"For four long years, the people of Ukraine have defended their country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and identity in the face of Russia's brutal full-scale invasion. The cost to Ukrainians has been immense: they have suffered lives lost, families torn apart, millions displaced, homes and cities destroyed and more than words can capture. While Ukraine is pursuing peace through international efforts to end the war, Russia has not engaged in good faith, weaponizing the brutal cold of winter through strikes on energy infrastructure and civilians. The humanitarian consequences of these strikes are profound and devastating and may result in war crimes and crimes against humanity.
"The world is by now well familiar with the determination, ingenuity and innovation with which the people of Ukraine defend their country and their future. Their courage and resilience strengthen our resolve to see an end to Russia's war and to defend Ukrainians' fundamental right to exist in peace.
"Canada has stood with Ukraine since its independence in 1991 and reinforced its support in the face of Russia's aggression in 2014 and then again in 2022. Since 2022, Canada has committed over $25.5billion in financial, military, humanitarian, immigration, recovery and reconstruction, and security and stabilization assistance. This includes more than $12 billion in financial support and $8.5billion in military assistance in the form of critical equipment, including armoured vehicles, air defence capabilities, uncrewed aerial systems and munitions. Through Operation UNIFIER, Canada has trained 47,000 members of the Security Forces of Ukraine, including 13,000 since 2022. Since 2014, Canada has also imposed sanctions on more than 3,300 persons that are complicit in the violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and in gross and systematic human rights violations, and has taken action against Russia's shadow fleet by sanctioning over 500 vessels.
"Ending Russia's war and defending the values we share require sustained international collaboration with partners. Canada works closely with partners in military, humanitarian and diplomatic forums to support Ukraine's defence and address the war's human consequences. This includes the Coalition of the Willing, the NATO-Ukraine Council and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Canada also co-chairs the Kyiv-based Working Group on the Human Dimension and the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, focused on the safe return of prisoners of war, the unconditional release of forcibly detained Ukrainian civilians and the return of forcibly transferred and deported Ukrainian children.
"Ukrainians seeking refuge from the war have found temporary haven in Canada and are making important contributions to communities across the country. A range of immigration measures-including the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, introduced in response to Russia's invasion in 2022-have allowed Ukrainians to find safety, work and study in Canada as temporary residents.
"We stand ready to support a lasting peace settlement with a strong focus on the well-being of Ukrainians and on credible, enforceable security guarantees once a ceasefire is in force. Canada remains steadfast in this effort and in backing Ukraine today and supporting its recovery and reconstruction for the future. In so doing, Canada is helping to build a world we can believe in-one where sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected and democratic choices are protected from aggression.
"Today and every day, Canada stands with Ukraine."
