Defense Minister Bill Blair said Wednesday that Canada will cut a new $60 million check to help train Ukrainian pilots to fly the F-16, as allies gathered in Brussels ahead of this week’s NATO ministerial meeting. Announced.
The donation announced at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting follows last month’s announcement by the federal government of a $15 million donation from Montreal-based Top Ace to pay for civilian pilot instructors.
F-16s have been donated by Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Canada does not operate any U.S.-made fighter jets, but they are used by Top Ace, a private company that provides extensive fighter instruction.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Wednesday that the new funding will help Ukraine pay for vital F-16 supplies and equipment, including spare parts, weapons stations, avionics and ammunition.
“Canada is committed to deepening coordination and cooperation with our allies and partners, as we step up our support for Ukraine’s self-defense and work together to protect the rules-based international order,” Prime Minister Blair said in a media statement. Ta.
For the second time this year, the United States will attend a UDCG meeting without committing additional funds or equipment to Ukraine.
A $60 billion aid package for Ukraine remains pending in the US Congress. The Senate passed a compromise earlier this week that includes funding for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden called on Congress to consider the bill as soon as possible, warning that any delay would impact “.”[Russian President Vladimir] It’s Putin’s hand. ”
The Ukraine contact group meeting is being held ahead of the regularly scheduled meeting of NATO defense ministers.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said in a recent interview that Canada is making progress in procuring additional armored vehicles from Ukraine to be used for medical evacuations. When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Ottawa last fall, the Liberal government pledged an additional $650 million to buy at least 50 armored vehicles.
Prime Minister Blair said: “The first of these units are ready to go.” “There is clearly an urgent need for that equipment in Ukraine and we are working hard to deliver it.”
“At the same time, I have to balance what the Canadian Armed Forces are also asking for and supporting Ukraine,” he added.
With U.S. military aid stalled by political infighting, European media reports have suggested that contact group coordination should be handed over to another country.
In an online Q&A with reporters on Tuesday, US Permanent Representative to NATO Julian Smith rejected this idea.
“The United States is very proud to have led the Ukraine Defense Liaison Group for the past two years,” Smith said. “This is a format that we believe is producing real results. And I want to reiterate that this week’s meeting will continue to be a catalyst for further support to Ukraine and that the United States will continue to support this process. We expect that investment will continue.”
Smith also said he did not expect Ukraine to receive a formal invitation to join NATO when alliance leaders meet in Washington this summer.
“We hope that our allies can demonstrate that they continue to approach Ukraine and that we are taking concrete steps to build a bridge between our current position and full-fledged membership. ,” Smith said. He added that he hopes Mr. Zelensky will be able to attend in person.
“The president will continue to hear of our unwavering unity and determination in supporting our allies. And most importantly, we will be able to send a signal to President Putin that we are not going anywhere when it comes to supporting Ukraine. .We will continue to support them for as long as necessary.”
European leaders say they need to prepare to defend themselves after Donald Trump said he would not protect NATO countries that do not keep their defense spending commitments. Meanwhile, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair criticized the statement, calling it “rhetorical.”
Whether the United States firmly adheres to that policy will depend on the outcome of the presidential election. Republican front-runner Donald Trump has effectively threatened to disintegrate the NATO alliance, seeing Russia “do whatever it wants” to allies that don’t keep their military spending commitments. He said he was prepared to turn a blind eye.
“These alliances are a strength of America. They are not charities,” Smith said. “They directly serve the interests of the United States, and they directly serve the interests of our allies.”
President Trump’s comments have drawn condemnation and concern from some European allies.
Smith said NATO defense ministers this week will increase each country’s defense budget and discuss progress towards achieving NATO’s standard of spending the equivalent of 2% of each country’s gross domestic product (GDP) on defense. He said he plans to discuss it.
Mr. Smith suggested Mr. Trump was reckless.
“Encouraging the Kremlin to attack NATO allies and allied territory puts our soldiers, American soldiers, and allied soldiers at real risk,” she said.
“Making statements like that is dangerous and frankly irresponsible.”
