January 10, 2023, Ottawa: U.S. President Joe Biden will be making an official visit to Canada in March, his first trip to this country since becoming president in January 2021. News of the trip, confirmed by officials on both sides of the border on Tuesday, came alongside an announcement that Canada will buy a U.S. missile defence system for Ukraine. These developments stem from a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Biden at the North American Leaders’ Summit in Mexico City.
Canada buying U.S. missile defence system for Ukraine
Defence Minister Anita Anand heard directly from her Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov that “air defence systems are Ukraine’s top priority.”
Designed to help protect populated areas and critical infrastructure against drone, missile, and aircraft attacks, the equipment and associated munitions Canada is donating to Ukraine—the first donation of the sort that Trudeau’s government has made to the embattled country— is valued at approximately $406 million.
This funding will come from the additional $500 million in military aid to Ukraine that Trudeau announced in November 2022.
“Canada will continue to collaborate with the United States, as well as other Allies and partners, to address Ukraine’s defence priorities in the short and long term, including with high-capability equipment such as the NASAMS,” said Anand in a statement.
Praising Canada’s decision to provide “a strong shield for our cities and citizens,” Zelenskyy thanked Trudeau for “helping us to protect our sky.”
