Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Canada’s involvement in Ukraine was an important contribution to NATO’s strength while the United States was “unable to step up” aid to countries in conflict.
Freeland was responding to questions about Canada’s efforts to meet NATO member states’ military spending target of 2 per cent of GDP in an interview aired Saturday. CBC’s The House.
Asked if Canada would increase spending in the next federal budget due April 16, Freeland declined to say anyway. She told host Katherine Cullen that Canada’s per capita commitment to Ukraine, which she called “NATO’s most pressing challenge,” was of great importance.
“In March, Canada sent $2 billion in emergency budget financial assistance to Ukraine while the United States was unable to step up and provide assistance – you could probably ask the US ambassador – David After being informed that U.S. Ambassador Cohen would also appear on the program, Mr. Freeland said:
“Canadians can stand tall and proud knowing that our country is absolutely doing their part to resist Russia.” [and] “We will support Ukraine in NATO’s biggest fight,” she said.
the house10:23As NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary, can it maintain its momentum?
As NATO reaches a milestone amid the Ukraine war, allies are keeping an eye on Trump’s potential for a second term as president. The House of Commons asked two senior member country representatives, US Ambassador David Cohen and British High Commissioner Susannah Goshko, to discuss whether the alliance can survive and why NATO is pressuring Canada to meet its defense spending commitments. Talk about whether to continue.
Canada is under increasing pressure, both from domestic voices and some allies, to meet the 2% target set by NATO countries at the 2014 Alliance Wales meeting.
Kelly Buck, Canada’s former ambassador to NATO, said: “We’re not going to be kicked out of NATO, but when we represent ourselves on the North Atlantic Council, our opinions carry less weight because… Because you have to put your money where your mouth is.” he told CBC News earlier this week.
US bill still in limbo
Freeland said “congressional mischief” prevented the United States from providing much-needed aid to Ukraine as it fights to defend itself from Russian forces.
”That’s a problem. “Canada’s support for Ukraine is not a Ukraine issue,” she said.
The United States is struggling to pass legislation authorizing billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine and other allies. Republicans have demanded concessions on border measures in exchange for foreign aid.
Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy has lowered the minimum age for conscription from 27 to 25 to replenish the depleted army. Andrew Chan explains why lowering the draft age is so controversial, two years into the war of attrition.
Asked about Freeland’s comments, Cohen defended the U.S. contribution to Ukraine.
“‘I’m not going to discuss Chrystia Freeland when she’s not here,'” he said in a separate interview aired Saturday. the house.
“The United States has spent $77 billion in Ukraine, including $44 billion in military aid. I stand at that record every day and am very proud of it.”
Mr. Cohen discussed Canada’s military spending more broadly, acknowledging Canada’s actions in modernizing NORAD and supporting Ukraine, and Canada’s efforts to update its fighter jet fleet. He said the 2% target remains important as a floor for spending, but the U.S. is also considering other factors.
“I have been very careful about my case for the need to invest appropriately in defense and defense preparedness so that Canada can continue to increase spending. “We have been equally clear that we do not. We believe it is fair to assess Canada’s performance and defense efforts by reference to a single metric.”
“Democracy can be a little ugly sometimes, a little messy. Ultimately, democracy works, and I have no doubt that the United States Congress will strengthen and continue to have great support.” From the US to Ukraine. ”
In previous statements, Mr. Cohen has balanced praise for Canada’s other military efforts with some pressure on NATO’s goals. He said “the world is watching” what Canada is doing.hope remains“The goal will be achieved.
“I don’t think Canada has any interest in being that kind of outlier within NATO,” he told CBC News in February.
