Ukrainian ambassador says ‘ice’ is breaking on allied arms shipments

Ukraine’s ambassador to Canada said he thinks there may be a breakthrough in the supply of weapons to his country, as Canada prepares to deliver a major air defense system and other allies provide more weapons.

“I would call it ice breaking, because a lot of the weapons that our partner governments and allies have given us now, we have asked. [for] from February 24,” said Yulia Kovaliv in an interview on Rosemary Barton Live broadcast Sunday.

Britain recently announced it would send battle tanks to Ukraine, while Germany faces pressure to make a similar commitment. Canada announced this week that it will buy the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) for Ukraine, at a cost of $406 million.

“This is a clear signal that our partners and allies remain steadfast with Ukraine, as they have expressed their unwavering support, whatever it takes,” Kovaliv said.

The war in Ukraine is just over a month away from a full year of conflict. While Ukraine has been able to recapture much of the territory taken by Russia in the initial invasion, Russia controls significant parts of the south and east, where fighting continues.

Russia has denied that arms supplies to Ukraine by North American and European countries signal an escalation of the war. Russia itself has recently shaken up its military command, and Ukrainian intelligence claims the country could quickly mobilize half a million new soldiers.

Attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure continue

Canada’s announcement of the purchase of an air defense system comes as Russia’s campaign of intense airstrikes targets Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure. A Russian missile attack on an apartment building in Dnipro, meanwhile, killed more than 23 people, as the death toll continued to rise Sunday.

“NASAMS is one of the best air defense systems in the world and we appreciate the great support of the Canadian government,” Kovaliv said.

The Canadian air defense system to be procured does not yet exist. The head of Raytheon Technologies, one of the companies that produces NASAMS, said it will take two years to produce the system.

But Defense Minister Anita Anand told Barton in a separate interview that aired on Sunday that Canada was targeting a shorter timeline, as it had bought systems and ammunition at the same time.

Deliveries “will happen as soon as possible, may include multiple shipments and will be delivered as soon as possible …. We are not thinking about this year,” Anand said. He added that the close partnership with the United States was a key factor for the purchase.

“We are working with everyone and we hope to arrive as soon as possible physically and what assurances we have that the Canadian government from our side and the US will do their best to deliver as soon as possible,” said Kovaliv.

Anand said he remains focused on finding equipment for the Canadian military despite the government’s support for Ukraine.

“There’s no question that we’re reviewing the capabilities that are needed across the board, including the Canadian Armed Forces,” he said.