Canada to set aside nearly $2bn for Ukraine in 2023
The government of Canada has proposed allocating CAD 2.4 billion ($1.8 billion) in financial and military assistance to Ukraine in its draft federal budget for the fiscal year 2023.
Canada's financial support for Ukraine has helped its government continue to operate in the face of Russia's illegal invasion, "including by paying pensions and delivering essential government services to Ukrainians, purchasing fuel to get through the winter, and restoring damaged energy infrastructure," its statement reads.
According to Canada’s draft budget for 2023, Ukraine will be provided with an additional loan of CAD 2.4 billion via the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Administered Account for Ukraine.
Another CAD 200 million ($147 million) would cover Canada’s military equipment to Ukraine, including eight previously announced Leopard 2 main battle tanks.
Other Canadian support for Ukraine to be earmarked for 2023 includes CAD 320 million in humanitarian assistance, CAD 96 million in development assistance, and more than CAD 81 million in support for demining operations, as well as temporarily waiving all duties on Ukrainian imports.
On Twitter, Ukraine’s prime minister Denys Shmyhal thanked the Canadian government for his assistance, adding that its contribution "will help us maintain economic stability and help Ukrainians affected by the war unleashed by Russia."
Canada has provided Ukraine with more than CAD 5.4 billion ($3.7 billion) in financial and military assistance, per official data.
