Canada has a deep and multi-faceted relationship with Ukraine. Since January 2014, the Government of Canada has announced more than $568 million in additional assistance to Ukraine, including a broad range of initiatives to strengthen security, promote economic growth and stability, as well as advance democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has played a key role in Canada’s support to Ukraine.
In terms of direct support to Ukraine’s security forces, Canada’s assistance to Ukraine includes the purchase and shipment of non-lethal military equipment. This includes the ongoing process of procuring and shipping specialized equipment such as tactical communications systems, a mobile field hospital, explosive ordnance disposal equipment, tactical medical kits, and night vision goggles. This type of equipment is helping to enhance the capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
In August 2014, Canada donated non-lethal military supplies to Ukraine, including a range of targeted protection, medical and logistical equipment such as 7,000 helmets, 30,000 sets of ballistic eyewear, 2,300 protective vests, 300 first aid kits, 100 tents, and 735 sleeping bags.
In November 2014, Canada committed to a further donation of non-lethal military supplies. From that commitment, Canada has delivered 30,000 coats, 30,000 pairs of pants, 70,000 pairs of Gore-Tex boots and 4,500 pairs of gloves.
Once procurement is finalized, Canada will send 20 Harris high-frequency radios, 238 pairs of PVS-7 night vision goggles, 1,134 tactical medical kits, a mobile field hospital and a yet to-be-determined amount of explosive ordnance disposal equipment.
As part of Canada’s commitment to Ukraine, the CAF has taken steps to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. These steps include the following:
- August 7, 2014
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement announcing that a Canadian CC-130J Hercules, from Canadian Forces Base Trenton, would deliver important non-lethal security assistance to Ukraine in order to help the country secure its eastern border against Russian aggression.
- August 8, 2014
- A CC-130J Hercules aircraft from 436 Transport Squadron in Trenton arrived at Boryspil International Airport, Ukraine, with non-lethal military equipment for Ukraine. James Bezan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, attended the arrival. The shipment included 7 000 helmets, 30 000 sets of ballistic eyewear, 2 300 protective vests, 300 first aid kits, 100 tents and 735 sleeping bags.
- November 26, 2014
- Rob Nicholson, Minister of National Defence, issued a news release announcing that Canada would provide further non-lethal military supplies to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Total donation to include 30 000 coats, 30 000 pairs of pants, 70 000 pairs of Gore-Tex boots and 4 500 pairs of gloves, in addition to tactical communications systems, explosive ordnance disposal equipment, tactical medical kits, and night vision goggles. The first of three shipments were transported via Royal Canadian Air Force CC177 Globemaster, with two subsequent shipments arriving by sealift in January 2015.
- November 28, 2014
- The first shipment of donated non-lethal military supplies (cold weather clothing including approximately 3 000 pairs of boots, 2 400 coats, 3 500 pants and 3 300 pairs of gloves), announced on November 26, arrived in Kyiv Boryspil Airport, Ukraine, via Royal Canadian Air Force CC177 Globemaster.
- December 8, 2014
- Rob Nicholson, Minister of National Defence, issued a news release announcing that Canada had signed a Declaration of Intent with Ukraine for joint military training and capacity building in response to Russia’s aggression in that country.
- January 10, 2015
- The first of two sealift shipments of non-lethal military supplies arrived in the port of Odessa, Ukraine, as part of the delivery of donated supplies announced in November 2014.
- January 29, 2015
- The second of two sealift shipments of non-lethal military supplies arrived in the port of Odessa, Ukraine, adding to the delivery of donated supplies announced in November 2014.
- February 2, 2015
- The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C, M.P. for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence, issued a news release announcing that Canada would join the U.S.-Ukraine Joint Commission on Defense Reform and Bilateral Cooperation in order to better coordinate Canada’s ongoing provision of assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
- February 3, 2015
- Representatives from the Canadian Armed Forces attended a U.S.-Ukraine Joint Commission meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, where Ukraine officials thanked Canada for its ongoing support and for accepting the role as co-lead of the Military Police Sub-Committee
