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Canada has provided Ukraine with a major air defense assistance package, with additional deliveries expected in the near future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this while opening talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ankara, UATV English reports, citing European Pravda.
Zelenskyy acknowledged that Ukraine is currently facing a shortage of interceptor missiles for its air defense systems but did not provide further details.
“Right now, we have a major—perhaps even the greatest—shortage in the area of air defense. At the same time, we have received a major package of air defense assistance from Canada. We are grateful to you for this,” the president said.
He did not specify what equipment Canada had delivered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine but noted that another shipment from Canada is expected soon.
“We are grateful for this assistance, and it is good that some additional new elements are already on their way,” Zelenskyy added.
Mark Carney briefly confirmed that the assistance had been delivered.
It is also reported that Canada has announced a $900 million aid package for Ukraine, including air defense.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the package ahead of his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO Summit, according to Novyny.LIVE.
According to Carney, the package will provide medium-term military assistance to Ukraine, including military equipment, ammunition, as well as support for Ukraine’s air defense and energy sectors.
Two months ago, it was reported that Canada would contribute an additional $200 million to the PURL initiative for the procurement of U.S. weapons—primarily Patriot interceptor missiles—for Ukraine. It remains unclear whether the president was referring to that delivery.
Read also: Zelenskyy Hints that Patriot Interceptors Are Not Only Available in the United States
