Canada Weighing ‘Long-Term Security Guarantees’ for Ukraine Beyond War With Russia, Says Minister

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly delivers remarks at the Global Heads of Mission Meeting discussing the Future of Diplomacy Initiative in Ottawa, on June 7, 2023. The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby

Canada is considering some “long-term security guarantees” for Ukraine beyond its support for the country throughout its war with Russia, in order to provide it with security assurances for years to come, says Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly.

Ms. Joly spoke to reporters in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11 where she is attending the NATO Leaders’ Summit this week alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Anita Anand.

“At this point we’ve supported Ukraine up to $8 billion in financial, military, and also humanitarian support,” Ms. Joly said, adding that Canada needs to and will “do more” to assist Ukraine.

“We know that even when the war ends, Ukraine will still be next to a very dangerous neighbour, so we need to address the long-term security needs of Ukraine.”

The foreign affairs minister also said that she and Mr. Trudeau have often reiterated to NATO allies the need for these “guarantees” for Ukraine, adding that both she and the prime minister will be discussing it further at the leaders’ summit over the next few days.

“Canada has been forward leading on this issue,” Ms. Joly said. She did not provide details of what the security guarantees could entail.

Her comments come a day after Mr. Trudeau told reporters in Latvia that Canada will push for Ukraine to be admitted into NATO at the summit, where leaders will discuss that possibility.

Mr. Trudeau said that a number of Canada’s European allies support admitting Ukraine into the treaty organization, but said there is not unanimous support across NATO.

“In other NATO member countries, this enthusiasm is not as strong as in Canada,” he said on July 10. “But in general, our allies are very inclined for the future of Ukraine.”

NATO member countries like the United States and Germany have previously voiced concerns that admitting Ukraine into NATO could spark a direct conflict between the treaty’s member countries and Russia, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for Ukraine to be admitted.