Canadian government allows supply of lethal weapons to Ukraine
Canadian government has allowed Canadian defense companies to sell weapons to Ukraine. Canadian officials hope that the step will influence the Trump administration to follow suit.
Canadian media reports that Ukraine has been added to Canada's automatic firearms country control list.
According to the website of the Canadian government, the decision was made on Nov. 23. It was released publicly on Wednesday, December 13.
Last fall, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko asked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for much needed arms supplies.
The step, brings Canada ahead of United States, which has also been considering providing weapons to Ukraine.
Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said the decision of the Canadian government reflects closer ties between Canada and Ukraine.
There are 39 countries on the control list and the announcement — in the federal government's official publication — noted that the Canadian government still maintains control over the process.
Canadian companies who may conclude arms deals with Ukraine will have to apply for an export permit, which "must be assessed on a case-by-case basis," reports the Canada Gazette.
Each sale must include a so-called end-user and end-use assessment, which spells out who gets the weapons, how they will be employed and that they won't be used against civilians.