(Ottawa) As the first western state to recognize Ukraine’s independence and home to the second-largest Ukrainian diaspora in the world, Canada quickly chose its side after the Russian invasion. If his understanding of the country gave him a “comparative advantage,” according to one expert, since February 24, 2022, according to another specialist, his positions have resembled those of a “follower” rather than a leader.
Posted at 5:00 am
The reaction to the first rain of rockets was immediate in Ottawa. “Russia’s attack on Ukraine is an attack on democracy, international law and freedom,” Justin Trudeau condemned. “When we woke up this morning, the world looked different,” added his Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.
What hasn’t changed is Canada’s commitment to Ukraine. “There is no party politics here. It is the only community to have sent five waves of immigrants to Canada in 110 years. We have therefore always had a comparative advantage over other countries when it comes to understanding Ukraine,” emphasizes political scientist Dominique Arel from the University of Ottawa.
On February 24, 2022, the government therefore announced a first wave of sanctions against the Putin regime – with varying degrees of effectiveness – that have become a tsunami.
He had already hit the Kremlin with sanctions in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, but “we now know they were ridiculous,” argues the professor.
At that time it was unthinkable to deliver military equipment to Kiev; Therefore, Ottawa decided to create a mission called Unifier, which has so far made it possible to train more than 35,000 Ukrainian security forces. “What has changed is that Putin did the unthinkable,” emphasizes Mr. Arel, Chair of Ukrainian Studies.
From bulletproof vests to Leopard 2
It wasn’t until April before Canada sent heavy artillery into Ukraine. The bulletproof vests and goggles of the early days were followed by M777 howitzers, then a national surface-to-air missile system (cost: c.406 million), then four Leopard 2 assault tanks.
In most cases, Canadian ads follow those of other partners, particularly the United States. “Canada is certainly not a leader or a fool. The qualifier I would use is followers,” comments Justin Massie, co-director of the Strategic Analysis Network (RAS) and professor at the University of Quebec in Montreal.
When it comes to financial aid, Canada “still does very well in absolute terms” with around 5 billion dollars, but based on the size of its economy it ranks 27th out of 40 donor countries, according to an analysis by the Kiel Institute, he says.
Where the means are obviously not there, it is at the military level, he says.
The Bundeswehr is “very reluctant” to part with equipment for fear that it will not be replaced by the government – “and for good reason, because there have been very few announcements about the exchange of equipment or the acquisition of new military capacities compensate,” emphasizes Mr. Massie.
And diplomacy?
Former Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine G. Daniel Caron has kept a low profile in the media over the past year. But the one who was head of mission in Kiev from 2008 to 2011 has matured.
“Unfortunately, as I said [l’ex-premier ministre canadien] Lester B. Pearson, too often it’s been too easy for leaders to introduce the people to war…oh, there, I’m not going to endear myself…” he interrupts on the phone before continuing.
In short, he wonders if we are considering a diplomatic solution that goes beyond sending military aid. “I don’t understand why we don’t set up a high-level committee to negotiate. [La ministre des Affaires étrangères] Mélanie Joly and her colleagues are discussing this topic? »
“My position is that no one will win this war of genocide,” he laments.
The next step
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disagrees: Ukraine will emerge victorious.
However, reinforcements are needed: fighter planes, the leader now claims.
The application was not expressly made in Canada, Minister Joly reported last Friday at the end of her visit to Ukraine. “The president didn’t ask me directly,” she said via video conference.
“Of course we have always done our bit, we will continue to do our bit,” added the head of Canada’s diplomacy.
The United States has so far shown no intention to supply Ukraine with fighter jets, which require rigorous training to pilot.
However, as he passed through Kiev on Monday, days before the first anniversary of the start of the war Russia started, President Joe Biden announced a new $500 million in military aid to Ukraine.
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1.4 million With around 1.4 million people, the Ukrainian diaspora is the second largest in the world after Russia.
Source: THE CANADIAN ENCYCLOPEDIA
158,277 Number of Ukrainian citizens and Canadian permanent residents of Ukrainian origin who arrived in Canada by land or air between January 1, 2022 and February 5, 2023.
Source: DEPARTMENT OF Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship OF Canada