Since the onset of the crisis,Canada has stood proudly alongside the people ofUkraineand taken important steps to support the country, including imposing sanctions against those responsible for the growing conflict. On August 7, 2014, in response to Ukraine’s request for non-kinetic (non-lethal) security assistance, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that a Canadian CC-130J Hercules will take off on August 7, in the first of a series of flights, from Canadian Forces Base Trenton to deliver important non-kinetic security assistance which will help the country secure its eastern border against Russian aggression.
Canada’s contribution, in the amount of up to $5 million through Canada’s Global Peace and Security Fund (GPSF), includes a range of targeted protection, medical and logistical equipment, such as helmets, ballistic eyewear, protective vests, first aid kits, tents and sleeping bags. The equipment will help strengthen border security inUkraine by enhancing Ukraine’s capacity to detect the illicit movement of goods and people.
In the wake of the European Union’s announcement that it is lifting its ban on the sale of military technology and hardware into Ukraine, our Government can confirm that there is currently no ban in place on the sale of military technology and hardware to Ukraine in Canada.
Statement By The Prime Minister OfCanadaAnnouncing Security Assistance ToUkraine
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement announcing non-kinetic (non-lethal) security assistance to Ukraine:
“Canada’s response to Russian expansionism and militarism in eastern Ukraine has been swift, targeted and unequivocal.
“In keeping with the values and principles we cherish as Canadians, I am proud of the role we have taken in the international community against this aggression by imposing a broad range of sanctions against those responsible for the crisis in Ukraine, by helping train the Ukrainian military, by isolating Russia at the G-7, and by supporting Ukraine’s economy.
“I am pleased today to announce yet another action that Canadais taking to help the people ofUkraineput an end to the insurgency.
“Today, a CC-130J Hercules from Canadian Forces Base Trenton will be departing forUkrainein the first of a series of flights to deliver non-kinetic military equipment that Ukraine will be able to use to secure and protect its eastern border against Russian aggression.
“This equipment – which includes helmets, ballistic eyewear, protective vests, first aid kits, tents and sleeping bags – will provide physical and medical protection to those on the front lines against the insurgency. The logistic equipment provided will allow Ukrainian security and border authorities to better detect and track the movement of illicit goods and people. It is what Ukraine has asked us for and we are delivering.
“Canada remains committed to working with its allies and partners to preserve and promote a free, democratic, and peaceful world. We stand prepared to continue to apply further economic and political pressure if the Putin regime’s military aggression and provocative actions continue.”
Statement By the Prime Minister of Canada Announcing Additional Sanctions
August 6, 2014
Ottawa,Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement announcing additional economic sanctions and travel bans against 19 Russian and Ukrainian individuals, and economic sanctions against 22 Russian and Ukrainian groups and economic entities:
“The Putin regime’s continued illegal occupation ofUkraine’s Crimean peninsula and its provocative military activity in eastern Ukraine remains a grave concern to Canada and the international community.
“Last week,Canada announced its intent to impose additional sanctions on Russia to further increase economic and political pressure on the Putin regime and those closest to it.
“Today, we are announcing those measures, which include additional economic sanctions and travel bans against Russian and Ukrainian individuals, and economic sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian entities. These sanctions, imposed in close coordination with partners in theUnited Statesand Europe, will further increase pressure on those responsible for the crisis in Ukraine. Export restrictions announced by the European Union with respect to military and military dual-use goods destined to Russia, are already in place inCanada. We are also committed to imposing the necessary regulations to enact export restrictions on technologies used in Russia’s oil exploration and extraction sector. Those will be implemented in parallel with our allies.
“President Putin has not provided any indication that he is prepared to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity or use his control over Russian-backed agents to end the violence inUkraine. On the contrary, reports indicate that, despite the criminal downing of MH 17,Russia continues to provide logistical support and sophisticated weapons to its agents in eastern Ukraine.
“Together with our allies and partners, we stand ready to take further actions if the Putin regime’s military aggression continues.”
