At the NATO Summit, in Washington, D.C., United States of America, the Prime Minister and Allies were joined by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at a NATO-Ukraine Council meeting. The Prime Minister announced further support so that Ukraine can continue to defend its freedom, including over $500 million in additional military assistance funding. This includes:
NATO’s Pledge of Long-Term Security Assistance for Ukraine
Funding: An additional $500 million for this year
Canada and NATO Allies pledged €40 billion (approximately CAD$60 billion) to Ukraine by July 2025, for which Canada today announced CAD$500 million. This pledge underscores the long-term commitment made by Allies to support Ukraine with military assistance until Ukraine’s victory, ensuring that levels of funding are consistent with the total of yearly military assistance provided by Allies to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Canada’s new contribution includes $443.8 million for Canada’s Department of National Defence to support the costs of military equipment, assistance, and training for Ukraine’s Armed Forces, including through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group capability coalitions as well as bilateral military support.
A total of $56.2 million will be allocated to the NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) for Ukraine Trust Fund to support immediate and long-term needs of Ukraine as it continues to repel Russian aggression, while allowing greater co-ordination and coherence among Allies and partners. This funding will support non-lethal assistance, help rebuild the Ukrainian security and defence sector, and continue Ukraine’s transition toward full interoperability with NATO. Existing Canadian funding through the CAP is also being allocated to ensure women in Ukraine’s Armed Forces have the equipment they need, including female body armour, uniforms, and boots, to help them in their fight for freedom. Canada’s total contribution to the CAP Trust Fund is now close to $140 million.
These new funds will bring Canada’s military assistance to Ukraine to over $1.1 billion for this year (2024-2025 fiscal year).
Supporting the launch of the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine
The Alliance launched the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), which will co-ordinate the provision of military training and equipment for Ukraine by Allies and partners and will provide logistical support. It will ensure enhanced, predictable, and coherent security assistance to Ukraine for the long term, bolstering the support Allies and partners provide to Ukraine. NSATU, which will be headquartered in Germany and will operate in Allied countries, will strengthen our ongoing co-operation to transform Ukraine’s defence and security forces so that Ukraine is more capable of defending against Russian aggression now and into the future, in the aim of supporting Ukraine’s eventual NATO membership.
Multi-year contribution to the Air Force Capability Coalition
Funding: Up to $389 million for five years
Through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) Air Force capability coalition, Canada will assume a lead role in training for Ukrainian pilots and provide critical equipment to support Ukraine’s safe operation of F-16s. This support builds on over $75 million provided to the Air Force coalition for maintenance instructors in Denmark, training aircraft and instructor pilots in France, the purchase of critical F-16 equipment and ammunition, as well as English-language instruction at the Canadian Forces Language School. These activities are a multi-year endeavour that will be sourced from previously allocated funding announced in February 2024. They respond to a continued priority for Ukraine, while providing significant benefits to Canadian industry as well as showcasing Canada’s leadership within the Coalition.