Canada Announces C$350 Million Air Defense Aid for Ukraine

Canada announced a new C$350 million military aid package for Ukraine on Thursday, focused on providing critical air defense interceptors to help counter escalating Russian ballistic missile attacks. The announcement followed a meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Calgary, Alberta. Carney stated that Canada and Ukraine had finalized an agreement to deliver the interceptors, which are intended to address a severe shortage of US-made Patriot systems capable of stopping Russian ballistic missiles. "As Russia escalates its barbaric aerial warfare indiscriminately targeting civilian populations, Ukraine's air defences are critical," Carney told reporters. He did not disclose which specific missile systems would be supplied or when deliveries would begin. Zelenskyy welcomed the assistance, calling it "a very important package of air defense" and "crucial" for Ukraine's protection. He said strengthening air defenses and preparing the country for winter were the main priorities of his visit to Canada. The weapons will be provided through a US program that allows third-party nations to quickly buy and supply weapons to Ukraine.