Statement marking 2 years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine

February 24, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence; the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, today issued the following statement:

“For 2 long years now, Ukrainians have defended themselves against a full-scale invasion by Russia. They’re fighting for their freedom and, by extension, for ours by standing up for international law and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of an illegal, immoral and unjustifiable invasion.

“Canada continues to strongly condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The war has displaced millions, killed thousands, worsened food and energy security worldwide and slowed the recovery of a global economy disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has upended the lives of generations of Ukrainians, especially children, including through the large-scale, illegal forced transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia or to the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. We have seen evidence of mass graves and appalling Russian war crimes, including indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, human rights violations, conflict-related sexual violence and torture. President Vladimir Putin’s continued flagrant disregard for the territorial integrity of a sovereign nation is also a threat to regional and global security and has emboldened rogue leaders around the world.

“Canada’s support for Ukraine has been steadfast since 2014, when Russia first began its occupation of Crimea. Since January 2022, Canada has committed more than $13.3 billion in financial, development, military, peace and stabilization and immigration assistance to Ukraine.

“Our $4 billion in military assistance includes Leopard 2 battle tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery ammunition, over 800 drones made in Canada, air defence missiles and more. Through Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces has trained more than 40,000 Ukrainian troops since 2015—and Canadian training for Ukrainians continues today in the United Kingdom, Poland and Latvia. Further, Canada’s Air Mobility Detachment in Prestwick, Scotland, has delivered over 15 million pounds of Ukraine-bound military assistance from Canada, allies and partners. Through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group and on a bilateral basis, we remain in close contact with Ukraine about its most pressing military needs, and we remain hard at work to provide Ukraine with the tools that it needs to win.

“Canada is also using every tool at our disposal to pressure and undermine Russia’s aggression, including through sanctions, with more than 2,900 individuals in Russia, Belarus, Moldova and temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine sanctioned since 2014.

“The war is a humanitarian catastrophe for Ukrainians, and approximately 40% of Ukraine’s population is expected to need humanitarian assistance this year. In the past 2 years, Canada has committed $352.5 million in life-saving humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and its neighbours, with the majority of that support centred on frontline communities in the south and east of Ukraine. Canada’s development assistance has also supported Ukraine’s agriculture and agri-food sector by building its resilience and allowing it to continue producing grains, oilseeds and other agricultural products for local consumption and export. This support has not only contributed to Ukraine’s economic stability and helped preserve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers but also ensured its ongoing contribution to the global food supply chain despite the disruptions caused by Russia’s aggression.

“As Russia’s ongoing, brutal invasion of Ukraine persists, Canada continues to adapt its response to help those fleeing violence. Since its launch in March 2022, the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel has provided temporary safe haven to over 220,000 Ukrainians. We also launched a special family reunification pathway to provide permanent residence to Ukrainian family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. These measures build on our steadfast commitment to help Ukrainians find a safe haven and provide them with the assistance they need while the conflict is ongoing.

“Canada—and many other partners—will continue to help the Government of Ukraine meet the recovery and reconstruction challenges in the months and years to come. Canada also works closely with the Ukrainian government and local authorities to ensure a continued focus on reform, which is key to Ukraine’s aspirations to join the European Union. We are also supporting critical development needs and priorities such as inclusive governance, as well as decentralization, food security and gender equality, including support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and those who are internally displaced.

“Recently, we also announced Canada is co-chairing, with Ukraine, the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. No child should be a pawn in war, and Canada is proud to play a convenor role within the coalition, bringing together partner states and key stakeholders. Canada will also provide technical assistance and expertise to assist with the safe return of children.

“Canada stands with Ukraine in this existential struggle for survival, freedom and democracy. Against the odds and despite being continually underestimated, Ukrainian soldiers are still bravely resisting Russian occupation and aggression, Ukrainian farmers are still feeding the world and Ukrainian educators are still finding ways to teach students. Canada is firmly committed to Ukraine’s long-term security; we believe its future is in NATO, and we support Ukraine’s push for a just and sustainable peace.

“We stand with Ukraine, today and always.”