Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stressed the need for Russia to be deterred from any new attempts to threaten the freedom of Ukraine and Europe. He delivered his message in a speech during the celebrations on the occasion of Ukraine's Independence Day, notes Censor.NET, reports Focus.
„We know that Putin can never be trusted. True peace and security require reliable guarantees for Ukraine. When US President Ronald Reagan was holding peace talks with the USSR on nuclear disarmament, his motto was ‘Trust but verify’. But Vladimir Putin is not Mikhail Gorbachev. He brings darkness, not glasnost. He seeks empire, not perestroika. He has repeatedly broken his promises - from the Minsk agreements to today,“ Carney said.
The prime minister recalled that Russia started the war against Ukraine and resorted to terror against the civilian population. “He kidnapped your children. But Putin can be stopped. Russia's economy is weakening and the country is becoming increasingly isolated, while our alliance is becoming stronger, more determined and more united. I highly value President Trump's leadership in creating opportunities for peace. But when that peace comes, it will not be enough to just trust and verify. We must deter Russia and strengthen the capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces, which have defended their territory for so long and bravely,“ he added.
During his speech, Carney also announced a new package of Canadian military assistance to Ukraine worth nearly 1 billion Canadian dollars (about 750 million US dollars). The package includes drones, ammunition and armored vehicles, which will arrive in the country next month. He added that Canada will also provide tens of millions of Canadian dollars for emergency medical assistance, building bomb shelters and strengthening democratic institutions, including measures against cyberattacks.
“Canada will strengthen its cooperation with Ukraine, with European partners and the United States to ensure the immediate and unconditional return of Ukrainian children,“ the prime minister stressed.
The total value of the announced defense package amounts to 2 billion Canadian dollars, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed gratitude for the support. "Allies continue to provide the necessary equipment and materials to ensure that Ukraine has everything it needs to defend itself and achieve a just and lasting peace," he wrote on the social network Ex.
Carney concluded his speech with a promise of future support: "And when peace comes, and it certainly will, Canada will stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine to help rebuild cities, expand industries and lay the foundations for real prosperity in the country."