Canada will provide an additional CAD 7.5 million for demining and training of Ukrainian specialists, announced Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Mélanie Joly during a meeting with Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko.
First of all, Ihor Klymenko thanked the Government of Canada for the powerful assistance provided since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia.
"We are united not only by the large Ukrainian diaspora, but also by joint projects, starting with the development of the patrol police and the reform of the National Police and up to now, when you support us during the war," said the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
Mélanie Joly assured that Canada would continue to help Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor and would do everything possible to ensure that our country overcomes the consequences of the war and can continue to develop.
"Canada was one of the first countries to provide significant financial assistance to Ukraine. And we will continue to do so until your victory," said the Canadian Foreign Minister.
The parties discussed the urgent needs and problems that the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine needs help and assistance from international partners to solve. In particular, Ihor Klymenko informed about the creation of combat units of the Assault Guard within the Ministry, which will take part in the liberation of the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.
A traditional area of cooperation, in which our Canadian allies are substantively and actively involved, is the training of Ukrainian pyrotechnics and explosives experts, as well as technical support for humanitarian demining of our territories.
Ihor Klymenko noted that in order to return full life to the de-occupied territories, including agricultural land, it is necessary to clear them of explosive objects. However, there is still a lack of trained personnel and appropriate equipment, including heavy and robotic equipment.
In her turn, Melanie Joly assured that demining in Ukraine would remain in the focus of Canadian aid priorities: "Canada will allocate an additional CAD 7.5 million for demining of Ukrainian territories, including training of your specialists. You can count on us in this work."
Separately, the parties addressed issues of possible further development of joint projects for the treatment, prosthetics and rehabilitation of our military and law enforcement officers - war veterans.
