BERLIN — Canada is sending another $50 million in specialized equipment, including Canadian-made cameras for surveillance drones, to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian invasion, Trudeau said Wednesday.
Trudeau was in Berlin for meetings with Chancellor Olaf Scholz largely about the response to Russia and ongoing needs to support Ukraine. But from Berlin he spoke by phone to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to inform him of the additional aid.
“We have obtained a number of specialized equipment, including cameras used in drones that a Canadian company makes that we will be able to start sending in the coming days towards Ukraine,” Trudeau said during a news conference with Scholz
Canada previously said it was shipping non-lethal equipment such as body vests and helmets, as well as more than $10 million of weapons such as machine-guns, rocket launchers and hand grenades.
Trudeau acknowledged getting the equipment into Ukraine has not been easy.
“There are challenges at the borders in terms of getting equipment securely across and into Ukrainian hands,” he said. “But we are working through that with partners alongside all allies who are facing the logistical challenges that are real, but not insurmountable.”
Trudeau also said Zelensky accepted an invitation to address Canada’s Parliament. Zelenskyy addressed the British Parliament virtually Tuesday.
On Twitter Zelensky said the conversation with Trudeau focused on how to increase sanctions and pressure on Russia.
“Agreed on further diplomatic steps,” he said. “Canada stands with Ukraine. We feel it every day.”
It was Trudeau’s first conversation with the Ukrainian leader in six days. Trudeau has praised Zelensky’s resilience and leadership as his forces try to fend off an invasion by the largest military in Europe.
The call came 14 days after Russian troops began pouring into Ukraine in an invasion the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights says has now killed more than 400 civilians.
On Tuesday, Zelensky released a new video showing him standing near the presidential offices in Kyiv in front of piles of sandbags, a few cars and a snow-dusted fir tree.
“Snow fell. It’s that kind of springtime,” he said, softly. “You see, it’s that kind of wartime, that kind of springtime. Harsh. But we will win.”
