The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence - Joint Statement to Ukrainian Media with Ukraine’s Minister of Defence

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Kyiv, Ukraine
September 26, 2017

General Poltorak, Members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Members of the media.

Ladies and gentlemen, Good afternoon.  

It is a great pleasure to be back in Ukraine.

This is my second visit to your beautiful country as Canada’s Minister of National Defence.  
I would first like to thank my friend and counterpart, General Poltorak, for the very warm welcome I’ve received here today in Kyiv. Thank you, General.

The General and I had a very productive discussion today. We talked about the shared values and strong bonds of friendship between our two countries.

We also spoke about areas where we can expand our defence cooperation.

These bonds of friendship are rooted in generations of Ukrainian migration to Canada. For more than 125 years, almost our entire history as a country, Ukrainians have settled across Canada.

And today, there are roughly 1.3 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent living in Canada. That’s why Canada is one of the most Ukrainian countries in the world—outside of Ukraine itself.

Personally, I have been learning more about Ukrainian culture by getting to know members of the Ukrainian-Canadian community. I have had the pleasure seeing first-hand just how much Ukrainians enrich Canada’s cultural life.

You have a great friend in Canada, and we are proud to call your country a valued partner and trusted ally.

25 years have passed since our two countries established diplomatic ties. Today they are stronger than ever.

And we will continue to build that bond of fellowship by strenghthening these historic ties — economically, diplomatically and militarily.

For example…

Last month, the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement took effect. That is great news for both of our countries. The Agreement creates jobs and opportunities in vital sectors of our economies, like Information Technology.

In April, General Poltorak and I signed the Canada-Ukraine Defence Cooperation Arrangement in Ottawa.

This Arrangement allows us to work more closely on issues of mutual security and defence, and better support each other. It also shows Canada’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

Back in March, I was proud to announce the extension of Operation UNIFIER. This Canadian Armed Forces mission in western Ukraine has trained nearly 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers. Its mandate runs until the end of March 2019.

This operation is not a one-way transfer of knowledge.

Our two militaries are learning from each other every day.

And we are also providing strategic advice on Ukraine’s defence reform process through our participation in the Defence Reform Advisory Board. 

Canada remains fully committed to providing assistance to Ukraine, helping to preserve and protect its sovereignty through Operation UNIFIER and through our defence reform assistance efforts.

Canada’s support for Ukraine is in complete alignment with our government’s new defence policy…

…a policy that promotes active engagement for a better world beyond our shores.

…a policy that supports nations like Ukraine in your efforts to secure your borders and strengthen your civil society. 

Ladies and gentlemen, President Poroshenko and Prime Minister Trudeau issued a joint statement last Friday. It reaffirmed the strong and enduring ties between our two countries, and it reinforced our shared commitment to continue deepening our relationship.

The people of Ukraine can count on Canada’s unwavering support.

You have been an integral part of our country for the last 125 years, and we are proud to help you build your future.

We will continue to stand in full solidarity with you.

Because that’s what good friends and trusted partners do.

Thank you.