Canada Reaffirms Support for Ukraine with New Military Aid and Sanctions on Russia’s 'Shadow Fleet'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pledged Canada's continued support for Ukraine in its ongoing fight against Russia, which has now entered its fourth year. In a recent post on X, Trudeau emphasized that “the fight for lasting peace cannot be won alone” and reassured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Canada’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and peace efforts. As part of this ongoing support, Canada has provided additional military aid to Ukraine to help it secure lasting peace and defend its borders. Trudeau also announced new sanctions targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” – a network of ships used to bypass Western sanctions and continue the illegal export of Russian oil.

In his post, Trudeau reiterated, “The fight for lasting peace cannot be won alone. That's why we're here,” stressing Canada’s dedication to standing by Ukraine. He also shared his recent conversations with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv, reaffirming that Canada will always support Ukraine. Trudeau’s remarks come after a series of meetings in Kyiv to mark three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with European leaders also reaffirming their backing for Ukraine.

In response to ongoing Russian efforts to avoid accountability, Canada has implemented additional measures to address the issue of Russian oil exports. The new sanctions aim to target the “shadow fleet,” further crippling Russia's ability to evade Western sanctions. Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for Canada’s consistent support and for the new military assistance packages. These include the provision of armored vehicles, the first transfers from the 5 billion CAD allocated to Ukraine from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets, and a grant aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s energy security and rebuilding civilian infrastructure following Russia’s continued attacks.

This announcement follows recent statements by US President Donald Trump, who referred to Zelenskyy as a dictator and comedian, while also suggesting that Ukraine was responsible for the war. Additionally, US officials have expressed skepticism regarding Ukraine's NATO aspirations and its chances of regaining territory currently occupied by Russia. Despite these challenges, the Canada-Ukraine relationship remains strong, with further collaborations in energy security and the exploitation of rare earth minerals strengthening their ties.

Ursula von der Leyen Says Ukraine Could Join EU Before 2030, Amid Tensions with Trump

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Monday that Ukraine could potentially join the European Union before 2030, within her current term, provided it meets certain criteria. This statement comes at a time of rising political tensions, especially with former US President Donald Trump, who has publicly sided with Russia in the ongoing conflict.

Von der Leyen acknowledged Ukraine’s progress in aligning with EU norms, saying, “I really appreciate the political will that is there. I would even say Ukraine’s merit-based process, if they continue at that speed and at that quality, perhaps they could be earlier than 2030.” However, she also noted that EU membership requires overcoming significant legal and democratic hurdles, which Ukraine is striving to meet amidst its war with Russia.

Ukraine’s potential EU membership could be a key factor in deterring future Russian aggression, especially as the US remains hesitant about allowing Ukraine to join NATO or supporting a post-war peacekeeping mission. Experts believe Trump’s dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is an attempt to pressure Ukraine into accepting a minerals deal, as Trump recently claimed the US was owed $500 billion in resources—minerals, oil, gas, and infrastructure—in exchange for past military aid against Russia.

Zelenskyy firmly rejected this proposal, stating that any agreements on Ukraine’s mineral resources should be linked to post-war security guarantees from the US. "We do not recognize this debt,” Zelenskyy emphasized, adding, “It will not be part of the final agreement.”

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