Zelenskyy thanks Trudeau for donating air defence system to Ukraine – National | 24CA News
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday thanked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for donating a surface-to-air missile system to the nation that one former navy common describes as a “life or death” functionality amid continued assaults.
The announcement that Canada will buy a U.S.-manufactured National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) for Ukraine got here in a readout launched from the Prime Minister’s Office earlier Tuesday.
In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, Zelenskyy mentioned Trudeau’s “true leadership in standing for democracy and human rights has been vividly proven again.”
“Thank you for helping us to protect our sky,” Zelenskyy wrote. “NASAMS procured for us by Canada will be a strong shield for our cities and citizens.”
The NASAM is a medium-range ground-based air defence system that protects in opposition to drone, missile and plane assault with a excessive success fee, in line with an announcement from the Department of National Defence.
“Canada’s NASAMS donation will help Ukraine strengthen its air defence systems against destructive air attacks on military sites, civilian critical infrastructure, and population centres,” it reads.
Read extra:
U.S. President Joe Biden to go to Canada in March, White House says
Read subsequent:
Mysterious antennas maintain popping up in Utah’s foothills and nobody is aware of why
This donation of NASAMS has an roughly $406 million worth.
It comes from the $500 million navy support bundle to Ukraine introduced on Nov. 14, 2022.
Oleksii Reznikov, Ukraine’s defence minister, had mentioned he had a “very productive conversation” with Canada’s Defence Minister Anita Anand that the system will “considerably reinforce” Ukraine’s defence capabilities in a tweet on Tuesday.
“Eagerly awaiting an official announcement,” mentioned Renikov. “Thank you Canada for standing by Ukraine.”
Anand mentioned air defence methods are Ukraine’s prime precedence and that is the primary time Canada has donated an air defence system to Ukraine, although different allies have already completed so.
“In the face of Russia’s brutal airstrikes on Ukraine, this air defence system will help to protect Ukrainian population centres and critical infrastructure against drone, missile, and aircraft attacks,” Anand mentioned in a tweet.
“With comprehensive military aid, Canada will continue to stand with the Ukrainian people as they fight against Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion.”
Read extra:
Ukraine bolsters japanese defences as Russia sends waves of assaults
Read subsequent:
Ellen DeGeneres shares raging flood video at California dwelling: ‘This is crazy’
Retired Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie, a former Canadian Army commander and former chief authorities whip for the Trudeau Liberals, informed Global News that having an air defence system is “literally a life and death issue” to Ukraine contemplating Russia’s rising use of weaponized drones, in addition to “very sophisticated ground attack aircraft and helicopter gunships.”
“If you don’t have air defence nowadays in a contemporary [conflict] or against a relatively modern foe, you will die,” mentioned Leslie. “So this is vital.”
However, Leslie additionally mentioned Canada has lacks a robust air defence system and will do with comparable weaponry.
“The Canadian Army has nothing. We have no air defence capability,” Leslie mentioned, including that he needs Canada “would show that energy and enthusiasm to defend their own army.”
“I’m not saying they shouldn’t purchase this system from the Ukraine, but let’s demonstrate some sort of energy and get-it-done approach to buying a similar system for the Canadian Army.”
— with information from Global’s Aaron D’Andrea and Marc-Andre Cossette
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
