Trudeau fails to take real action to support Ukraine

Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Michael Chong, Conservative Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative Shadow Minister for National Defence, and James Bezan, Opposition Deputy Whip, issued the following statement on Prime Minister Trudeau failing to announce lethal defensive weapons for Ukraine:

“Today, Prime Minister Trudeau had an opportunity to do the right thing and support Ukraine against Russia’s aggression by providing Ukraine with lethal defensive weapons. He failed to do this.

“Ukraine has been clear in its request to the Trudeau government of what it needs to defend itself: Lethal defensive weapons. The governments of the U.S., U.K., Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Czech Republic, and others have already provided lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine.

“This lack of action by Prime Minister Trudeau calls into question the Liberal government’s support for Ukraine in their fight against Russia’s aggression. The time for half measures has long passed. Ukraine needs Canada’s support and today Mr. Trudeau let them down.

“Canada’s Conservatives continue to call on Prime Minister Trudeau to immediately provide lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine, including the weapons originally destined for the Kurdish Peshmerga. We also call on the Trudeau government to immediately restore RADARSAT imaging and use Magnitsky sanctions against those responsible for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

“Canada’s security is inextricably tied to that of NATO and Europe. Canada’s Conservatives will be a voice for Canadians who want their government to stand up for the safety and security of Canada and stand up for our values on the international stage by supporting Ukraine and our NATO allies in the face of Russia’s escalating aggression.”