Prime Minister Mark Carney made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Sunday, where he detailed Canada’s latest military aid package for Ukraine. This announcement comes amid ongoing concerns about Russian expansionism, which Carney noted poses a direct threat to Canadian interests, particularly in the Arctic.

The Prime Minister first revealed the $2 billion aid package two months ago during the G7 summit in Alberta, but specifics were not provided at that time. During his visit, which coincided with Ukraine’s National Day of Independence, Carney shared a breakdown of the funding allocations.

Of the total package, $835 million will be allocated for critical equipment, including armored vehicles, medical supplies, spare parts, small arms, ammunition, and explosives, as well as enhancements to drone capabilities. It remains unclear how much of this budget will benefit domestic manufacturers, although previous donations indicate significant involvement from Canadian industry.

Additionally, approximately $500 million will be used to purchase military equipment from the United States, facilitated through NATO, with a focus on bolstering Ukraine’s air defenses to protect cities from Russian attacks.

In terms of multilateral cooperation, $165 million will support Canada’s role in the Ramstein Group, a coalition of 57 countries coordinating military aid for Ukraine. Another $100 million will be directed toward procuring ammunition and explosives from international partners, organized by the Czech Republic.

Furthermore, $220 million will be invested in drones, counter-drone technology, and electronic warfare capabilities, including joint ventures between Ukrainian and Canadian manufacturers. A new Letter of Intent, signed by Ottawa and Kyiv, will govern the co-production of this defense material.

With these investments, Canada’s military aid to Ukraine will increase by approximately 50%, bringing the total to $6.5 billion. This amount represents about one-third of Canada’s overall support for Ukraine, which is estimated at around $22 billion, primarily in the form of loans that Kyiv will need to repay.

During a press conference, Carney emphasized that Canada is collaborating with international allies to explore credible security guarantees for Ukraine, which he described as essential for regional stability. He stated, "We need not to trust and verify, but deter and fortify. And the fortification, the deterrence, is anchored in those security guarantees."

Carney also expressed skepticism about the feasibility of Ukraine’s military deterring future Russian aggression independently. He did not rule out the possibility of deploying Canadian troops to support Ukrainian forces following a peace agreement, stating that such a deployment would occur in partnership with the Coalition of the Willing, an informal alliance of Western nations.

Moreover, Carney opposed any attempts to exclude Ukraine from potential EU or NATO membership, indicating a willingness to consider traditional collective defense measures. He justified Canada’s support for Ukraine by highlighting shared democratic values and the 1.3 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent.

However, he acknowledged that foreign policy should not be solely driven by diaspora politics, suggesting that Ukraine’s survival is also in Canada’s national interest. Carney’s remarks reflect a shift in Canada’s defense posture, recognizing the need for a robust military presence in a changing global landscape.