Canada ‘looking at options’ over Ukraine’s requests for weapons, equipment

Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly accusing Kremlin of “campaign of disinformation, of misinformation and of propaganda" as NATO warns Russian intelligence is operating inside Ukraine.

Canada’s foreign minister says the government is “looking at options” in response to Ukraine’s request for weapons and military equipment.

Speaking in Kyiv after a series of bilateral meetings, Global Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Ukrainian officials have repeatedly raised the issue of access to military equipment and weapons as tensions with Russia remain high.

“We’ve heard, loud and clear, the demands (from) the Ukrainian government,” Joly said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba.

“We know that it is important to play our part in the context, and therefore we’re looking at options and we’ll take a decision in a timely manner.”

Canada has been providing training and non-lethal equipment for Ukranian troops since 2014, when Russia invaded and annexed Crimea and began efforts to destabilize the eastern region of Ukraine, a former Soviet state.

But Ottawa has yet to send weapons to the Ukrainian army, with Western countries concerned about escalating hostilities along the Ukraine-Russia border.

Russian president, Vladimir Putin has shown less trepidation about escalation.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Russia is sending a contingent of troops from the country’s far east to Belarus to participate in “major war games.” The troop movement puts more Russian military assets near Ukraine, while the U.S. and NATO allies warn of a potential Russian invasion.