Canada’s defense chief has completed his first trip to Ukraine since Russian the invasion began more than a year ago.
In a statement on Saturdaysaid the National Department of Defense on his visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, General Wayne Eyre discussed how Canada and Canadian Armed Forces can support Ukraine’s future needs.
DND confirmed to Global News that this was Eyre’s first visit to the country since the war started on 24 February 2022.
His last trip to Ukraine was in December 2021.
“The situation in Ukraine and its broader impact reinforces the urgency needed to ensure the continued readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces to support Ukraine and NATO in an increasingly dangerous world,” the DND statement said.
Eyre met with Ukrainian military officials and “discussed the current state of the war in Ukraine and further bilateral defense cooperation between Ukraine and Canada,” DND said.
He also met with Ukrainian soldiers and Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine Larisa Galadza.
Canada has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s illegal invasion began.
The federal government says it has committed more than $5 billion in multifaceted support to Ukraine, including more than $2.6 billion in aid, more than $1.2 billion in military aid, $320 million in humanitarian aid, $96 million in development assistance and more than $68 million in security and stabilization programming.
On the first anniversary of the war, Canada announced that it will send four more Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine, bringing the total number of tanks sent by the government to the warring country to eight.
Eyre’s visit comes as Russia is heading for its first major victory in six months after the bloodiest battles of the war.
Russian forces on Saturday stepped up pressure on Ukrainians who have hunkered down in the besieged town of Bakhmut.
Residents tried to flee with help from Ukrainian troops, who Western analysts say may be preparing to withdraw from the central eastern stronghold.
Bakhmut has for months been a prime target of Moscow’s grinding eastern offensive, with Russian troops, including forces from the private Wagner Group, drawing ever closer.
On the first anniversary of the war, Canada announced that it will send four more Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine, bringing the total number of tanks sent by the government to the warring country to eight.
— With files from Global News’ Aaron D’Andrea and The Associated Press
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