Justin Trudeau will initially help Ukraine financially. Canada’s prime minister on Friday announced the offer of a $120 million loan to Ukraine’s government to help it resist not only military but also financial pressures from Russia. However, Canadian military aid could follow.

“Russia is trying to destabilize Ukraine, including economically. This loan will help support Ukraine’s economic resilience,” Justin Trudeau said at a news conference on Friday.

Financial support was one of the most important demands made by the government of President Volodymyr Zelenskyj on Canada. Because the Russians are conducting a massive offensive to destabilize Ukraine, Mr. Trudeau explained, apart from the more than 100,000 troops who have gathered along the Ukrainian border and cyber attacks.

The loan is for a maximum of US$120 million through the Department of Global Affairs’ Sovereign Loans Program. Ukraine received an initial loan of 400 million over two years in 2014-2015 after the revolution that led to a change of government, and these sums have since been repaid. In particular, the Financial Markets Strengthening Program can be used to restore confidence among local people and the international community. Purchasing weapons with these credits is prohibited.

Prime Minister Trudeau also ruled that any Russian invasion of Ukraine would be punished by the West. On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden confused and alarmed his Ukrainian counterpart by appearing to make a distinction between a “minor invasion” and an “invasion.”

“We consider it important that the territorial integrity of Ukraine is respected. And any Russian troop movement in Ukraine will be absolutely unacceptable and will meet with a clear reaction from the international community,” Justin Trudeau said.

President Zelensky thanked Canada for this pledged assistance. “A strong Ukraine is crucial for European security. Canada has once again demonstrated its commitment to the spirit of privileged partnership between our two countries.” said the Ukrainian President on Twitter.

Guns and fights?

the Toronto Star also announced on Friday that the Canadian government is about to announce the extension of its mission to train the Ukrainian army. Around 200 Canadian soldiers have been on the ground as part of the operation since 2015 Unifywhich has been extended several times and this time should end in March.

The Trudeau government could also provide intelligence and cybersecurity assistance to the Ukrainian government, and weapons and defense equipment, such as infrared night vision goggles. However, sources spoke of somewhat “premature” news.

For his part, Justin Trudeau declined to comment on possible arms deliveries to the Ukrainians. “We know they need other things. We are examining what else we can do and how we can help them even more. And we will certainly have something else to say in the coming days and weeks,” he said.

Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly was in Ukraine earlier this week where Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government asked her to have Canada provide her with weapons to defend against growing fears of Russian aggression. The United States and Britain have already pledged that aid.

members of Canadian Army Special Forces were also deployed in Ukraine, Global News reported this week.

Nor did the prime minister want to predict whether the Canadian military’s rules of engagement in the field might allow combat engagements. “I will not speculate,” he said, repeating that his government will continue to support the Ukrainian people as a “friend and ally.”

Negotiations between the US and Russia

The Americans are also continuing their diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions and prevent a new Russian invasion.

Foreign Minister Antony Blinken was also in Kyiv on Wednesday before traveling to Geneva, Switzerland on Friday to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

According to Antony Blinken’s report, the latter repeated after the meeting that Vladimir Putin was not planning an invasion of Ukraine. For his part, however, the head of American diplomacy reiterated that the United States and its allies were not convinced.

“We look at what is visible to all and it is actions, not words, that count,” Blinken said as he exited the talks, according to Reuters.

“If Russian military forces cross the Ukrainian border, this is a new invasion, regardless of their numbers. A swift, strong, and united response from the United States and its partners and allies will follow,” he warned, adopting a firmer tone than his president on Wednesday.

The US Secretary of State has agreed to respond in writing to the Russian demands, but continues to decline.

Russia is asking NATO to sign a treaty not to include Ukraine in its alliance. President Putin believes that the country is still part of Russia’s “sphere of influence”. Moscow is also demanding that Western countries end their military presence in Eastern Europe.

Western countries rejected these conditions. Canada supports Ukraine’s integration into NATO.

To see in the video