On the first anniversary of the “illegal” conflict, the foreign minister announced that Canada would provide 21.2 million dollars to fight sexual violence and to support organizations in Ukraine, particularly in clearing mines.
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“Canada will continue to support Ukrainians on the path to peace and will hold accountability for the horrific crimes committed across Ukraine for as long as possible,” Minister Mélanie Joly said in a statement on Thursday.
While in Ukraine to reaffirm Canada’s support, the minister spoke with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska on the need to increase aid to Ukraine related to sexual violence.
Canada will therefore offer its assistance to support survivors and hold Ukrainian and international courts accountable.
The country will continue to help clear roads, playgrounds and fields in Ukraine, she added, visiting the HALO Trust, where Canadians are training Ukrainian deminers and raising community awareness.
Since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, Canada has pledged over $5 billion in support to Ukraine, including over $2.6 billion in aid, over $1.2 billion in military aid, $320 million in humanitarian aid, another 96 million in development aid and more than 68 million for security and stabilization programs.
It also imposed sanctions on more than 1,600 other individuals and entities in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.