Ukrainian President Zelensky visits Canada and receives a commitment of CAD 350 million in military aid

Ukrainian President Zelensky visited Canada and received a promise of military assistance from Prime Minister Carney. (Reuters)

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney received visiting Ukrainian President Zelensky in Calgary, a city in western Alberta. In addition to supporting Ukraine's efforts to resist Russian aggression, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney actually provided military assistance of 350 million Canadian dollars (approximately NT$8 billion).

Agence France-Presse reported that there are an estimated 350,000 Ukrainians who have taken root in Alberta. Calgary also happens to be Carney's hometown, deepening his connection with the Ukrainian community. The two sides pledged to deepen their alliance through this meeting, and Canada will provide assistance to strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities and help replenish its drone weapons inventory. Carney stressed that "Canada will always be with you."

Faced with a shortage of anti-aircraft weapons inventories and Russia simultaneously intensifying its air strikes, Zelensky has been running around and calling on allies for support. Ottawa announced on the 10th that it would provide assistance of 350 million Canadian dollars through the "Ukrainian Multinational Joint Program - Rapid Delivery of Services, Training and Materials" (JUMPSTART) program and provide another 450 million yuan in loans to ensure Ukraine's energy supply. The funds will help repair infrastructure damaged by air strikes and improve power supply to hospitals to support Uzbekistan through the harsh winter.

Not only that, Canada has also stepped up its support of drones to Kiev. According to Carney, the agreement reached will ship 30% of new production drones to Ukraine. Zelensky emphasized that these drones will be put into the battlefield immediately, and the primary goal is to protect Ukrainian children and families from harm.

According to Reuters, Zelensky said that the three-party talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine may not be held again until after the Russian parliamentary election on September 20.