NATO solidarity, an asset for Ukraine in its war against Russia

Rocket launchers, grenades, recoilless rifles, ammunition: the military aid provided by Canada to Ukraine to repel the Russian offensive is increasing week by week and now totals more than $117 million.

This contribution is not trivial. However, the Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, insists, in an interview with the Behind the scenes of power, on the solidarity shown by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) towards Ukraine. Canada is one of 30 NATO countries. All countries are doing important things like delivering weapons. And that is the difference. NATO is united now. It’s a solid alliance. And that is the most important thing to help Ukrainians.»

Anita Anand also highlights the military training provided by Canada to 33,000 members of the Ukrainian army since 2015 through Operation UNIFIER. These soldiers are today repelling the Russian war machine without being able to count on a no-fly zone above their territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelinsky has called for it several times, but he has been refused. We don’t want to have a third world war“, explained the Minister of Defense.

On the other hand, if Vladimir Putin chose to attack a member of NATO, the response would be assured, said Anita Anand, recalling Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. This article states that an attack on one member represents an attack on all signatories.

Does the Atlantic Alliance risk being caught up in such a situation? On Saturday, she received a warning from Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who said arms convoys heading to Ukraine would be considered legitimate targets by the Russian military. This might drag Canada and its allies into a conflict they are trying to avoid.

© Micheline Laflamme/Radio-Canada
The Minister of Defense also wants the defense of North America to be enhanced.

The war launched by Russia once morest Ukraine not only threatens the stability and security of the European continent, according to the Minister of Defence: it constitutes a warning for all those who believe themselves safe from conflict. The world has changed and we need to make sure we are ready for anything“, she said. This means providing the armed forces with the resources they need to deal with the dangers.

Modernize NORAD

Ms. Anand says she has started discussions with Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on the matter. However, she refuses to say whether the next federal budget will include an increase in military spending. She is also careful not to say whether her government will be able to invest 2% of Canada’s gross domestic product in its armed forces, as required by NATO. Currently, Ottawa’s share is 1.4%.

On the other hand, Minister Anand will implement the defense policy established in 2016, which provides for an increase in the military budget of 70% in ten years. It will also tackle the modernization of NORAD, the continental defense system established with the United States to protect the continent, including the Arctic. An investment of $252 million was announced in the last budget.

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